THE GIFT OF LOVE by Eris Field illustrates a heartwarming story about the love given to orphans by family, strangers, and Father Baker. I give it 3 stars.
In the novel, Dr. Andrew Young is a psychiatrist who divides his time between his paying clients and his pro bono work in a nearby town in which his grandfather grew up. He's asked to fill in at the last minute for a friend at a conference in Puerto Rico. Random events transpire which leave Andrew to care for his orphaned half-nephew, whom he has never met, alone at the conference.
Laurel Christiansen, who was adopted, is a nurse working several jobs to keep a roof over her and her stepsister's heads. Unfortunately, her efforts are not enough to prevent the city from foreclosing. Laurel's stepsister is a hoarder, and the state of the house prevents Laurel from selling it. After much encouragement from her best friend, Laurel flies to attend an OCD conference in Puerto Rico, where random events put her directly in Andrew's path and keep her there. The weary travelers end up forming a bond which changes their lives for the better.
I enjoyed THE GIFT OF LOVE for the most part. The characters were sympathetic, and their difficulties distressing. While at times the events bringing them together may seem far-fetched or contrived, the end result is a mostly believable romance. The romance is clean and sweet, but moves a bit fast for me (hence the "mostly"). I won't give more details on this point because it would spoil the ending.
The plot moves at a comfortable pace, and aside for a few issues, the editing was fairly well-done. Overall, the book was uplifting and a testament to the kindness of the human spirit, showing us that we can all have the gift of love by choosing to give it to others.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10780.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Closure by Angela Ford - 3 stars
CLOSURE by Angela Ford spins an interesting mystery about an FBI agent and ghosts from her past, but it felt rough, incomplete and contrived at times. I give it three stars for keeping me interested despite its various issues.
In CLOSURE, FBI Agent Jessica Resario is on the hunt of an online sexual predator, and unfortunately gets caught in the killer's crosshairs, barely escaping with her life. She's sent to her family's summer house as a "safe house", but it's the first time she's been there since her parents were killed on her first day of college.
While attempting to come to terms with her past, she stumbles over some information which may shed new light on her current quarry. The information was collected and kept secret by Jessica's father, also an FBI agent, and points to a person who stalked Jessica when she was in high school. Jessica must figure out who and where this man is before he takes from her another person she loves.
The beginning of this novel is great. Suspenseful and compelling, it keeps you glued to the page. The overall plot is intriguing and unfolds at a brisk pace. Unfortunately there were subplots that were never tied off or resolved, e.g., how does her friend's "I Crave You" tie into the overall plot? What is the connection?
The romance in the novel was minimal, appropriately so given that it is a workplace romance, where discretion and professionalism are crucial. There is enough of a foundation for the romance, but it develops from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. Granted, things can change quickly when reluctant characters make life-altering decisions, but here, it was just a little too fast to be believable.
On the technical side, the novel vacillates between heavy narration and lengthy character monologues. There is a big difference between someone telling you a story and someone telling you *about* a story. The heavy narration here often falls into the latter category, telling about what someone said even when quick dialogue would easily and more effectively convey the information. A good portion of the narration provided redundant information--details explained twice in similar fashion--and foundational information that was provided at the climax or resolution of the novel instead of in the beginning.
There were also many typographical errors, some which seemed like revision leftovers--words or phrases which should have been deleted upon revision. Oftentimes, the sentence structure, word choice, and paragraph arrangement felt disconnected from the rest of the novel, as if they were written and dropped onto the page without smoothing out the edges or inserting transitions.
Overall, the technical issues, rather than the substantive issues, were the major difficultly in enjoying the novel. If readers can get past those, then the intriguing plot can carry them through the end.
** Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10690.
In CLOSURE, FBI Agent Jessica Resario is on the hunt of an online sexual predator, and unfortunately gets caught in the killer's crosshairs, barely escaping with her life. She's sent to her family's summer house as a "safe house", but it's the first time she's been there since her parents were killed on her first day of college.
While attempting to come to terms with her past, she stumbles over some information which may shed new light on her current quarry. The information was collected and kept secret by Jessica's father, also an FBI agent, and points to a person who stalked Jessica when she was in high school. Jessica must figure out who and where this man is before he takes from her another person she loves.
The beginning of this novel is great. Suspenseful and compelling, it keeps you glued to the page. The overall plot is intriguing and unfolds at a brisk pace. Unfortunately there were subplots that were never tied off or resolved, e.g., how does her friend's "I Crave You" tie into the overall plot? What is the connection?
The romance in the novel was minimal, appropriately so given that it is a workplace romance, where discretion and professionalism are crucial. There is enough of a foundation for the romance, but it develops from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. Granted, things can change quickly when reluctant characters make life-altering decisions, but here, it was just a little too fast to be believable.
On the technical side, the novel vacillates between heavy narration and lengthy character monologues. There is a big difference between someone telling you a story and someone telling you *about* a story. The heavy narration here often falls into the latter category, telling about what someone said even when quick dialogue would easily and more effectively convey the information. A good portion of the narration provided redundant information--details explained twice in similar fashion--and foundational information that was provided at the climax or resolution of the novel instead of in the beginning.
There were also many typographical errors, some which seemed like revision leftovers--words or phrases which should have been deleted upon revision. Oftentimes, the sentence structure, word choice, and paragraph arrangement felt disconnected from the rest of the novel, as if they were written and dropped onto the page without smoothing out the edges or inserting transitions.
Overall, the technical issues, rather than the substantive issues, were the major difficultly in enjoying the novel. If readers can get past those, then the intriguing plot can carry them through the end.
** Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10690.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Legend of the Highland Dragon by Isabel Cooper - 4 stars
LEGEND OF THE HIGHLAND DRAGON by Isabel Cooper is magical, fantastic, and a great read for any dragon lover. I give it 4 stars and look forward to reading more of Isabel Cooper's work.
In LEGEND OF THE HIGHLAND DRAGON, Lord Stephen MacAlasdair is plagued by an old enemy who has returned to England with some mysterious magical powers. Miss Mina Seymour, troubled by an interaction between her boss and Lord MacAlasdair, unwittingly runs straight into Lord MacAlasdair's drama and learns more about him than he wanted.
In order to reassure Stephen that she will protect his secrets, Mina agrees to stay in his London home as his secretary until Stephen resolves the issue with his old foe. As time passes, the two build a friendship and ultimately fall in love, but will that be enough to save Stephen from his enemy's revenge?
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the dragon lore and magical underworld. Enough information was provided to give the reader a visual foundation of the magical world, but not so much that it was overwhelming. The plot was straightforward and easy to follow. I would have liked to see more mystery and depth in the plot via the family journals, but that is more personal preference than something the novel needed to be enjoyable.
The pace is likewise easy; the action and suspense flow well in and out of the quiet and intimate scenes. The action scenes could have been longer and more elaborate, but again, this is personal preference. The romantic development is gradual and believable, and the romance itself was on the graphic side, making this book appropriate for adults.
The book could have used a title that better represents the gist of the book. While the book certainly is about the highland dragon, the legend didn't seem to be a large part of the plot. Legends were only occasionally referenced when Stephen talked with Mina about his progress in locating his enemy's lair. The title as it is now invokes an image of Mina and her professor employer searching for clues, excavating ancient sites, digging through old tomes to locate the lair of the highland dragon; this is so not what the book is about.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this book, and perhaps there is (or will be) a prequel written to give the legend of the highland dragon greater depth and intrigue. I will certainly be on the lookout.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=12159.
In LEGEND OF THE HIGHLAND DRAGON, Lord Stephen MacAlasdair is plagued by an old enemy who has returned to England with some mysterious magical powers. Miss Mina Seymour, troubled by an interaction between her boss and Lord MacAlasdair, unwittingly runs straight into Lord MacAlasdair's drama and learns more about him than he wanted.
In order to reassure Stephen that she will protect his secrets, Mina agrees to stay in his London home as his secretary until Stephen resolves the issue with his old foe. As time passes, the two build a friendship and ultimately fall in love, but will that be enough to save Stephen from his enemy's revenge?
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the dragon lore and magical underworld. Enough information was provided to give the reader a visual foundation of the magical world, but not so much that it was overwhelming. The plot was straightforward and easy to follow. I would have liked to see more mystery and depth in the plot via the family journals, but that is more personal preference than something the novel needed to be enjoyable.
The pace is likewise easy; the action and suspense flow well in and out of the quiet and intimate scenes. The action scenes could have been longer and more elaborate, but again, this is personal preference. The romantic development is gradual and believable, and the romance itself was on the graphic side, making this book appropriate for adults.
The book could have used a title that better represents the gist of the book. While the book certainly is about the highland dragon, the legend didn't seem to be a large part of the plot. Legends were only occasionally referenced when Stephen talked with Mina about his progress in locating his enemy's lair. The title as it is now invokes an image of Mina and her professor employer searching for clues, excavating ancient sites, digging through old tomes to locate the lair of the highland dragon; this is so not what the book is about.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this book, and perhaps there is (or will be) a prequel written to give the legend of the highland dragon greater depth and intrigue. I will certainly be on the lookout.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=12159.
Luck of the Dragon by Susannah Scott - 4 stars
LUCK OF THE DRAGON by Susannah Scott is a richly bejeweled dragon tale that will leave you wanting more (in a good way)--more action, more dragons, and more books from Susannah Scott. I give LUCK OF THE DRAGON 4 stars and recommend to all dragon lovers.
In the novel, Lucy is a world-renowned gemologist who is forced into stealing from Alec Gerald, the infamous Las Vegas casino owner, and unbeknownst to Lucy, the King of the Dragons. Lucy has some serious co-dependency problems with her brother, who has once again lost his shirt via bad luck at the horse races. Gino, a mob enforcer, is determined to get his hands on Alec Gerald's fortune by using Lucy to gain access to the priceless gem exhibit at the casino. Little does Lucy know that her getting between Alec and his gems is the worst way to save her brother. Add to that little drama a formidable foe from the past that has returned to challenge Alec's throne and an ancient mating/fertility ceremony that is necessary to ensure the continuation of the dragon shifter species, and the heat from the Strip just gets hotter.
I enjoyed LUCK OF THE DRAGON immensely. The action-packed plot was surprisingly believable. Given the variety of people and businesses in Las Vegas, it doesn't seem that much of a stretch to imagine that, if dragon shifters did exist, Las Vegas is where they'd be. I loved the characters; well-illustrated and sympathetic, even Joey, the screw-up brother. The novel glitters with fantastic descriptions of the casino and priceless gems and artifacts in the exhibit, and while the romance is hot, it isn't over the top. Still, the novel is appropriate for adults only.
I could have used a bit more illustration of the dragons themselves, as well as some expansion on the subplots pertaining to Vito, Gino's brother, Bruno, Gino's right-hand man, Joey, and the magic briefly introduced in two characters' plotlines. The gem heist plotline seemed a bit unresolved after Vito and Bruno are mentioned, but not addressed substantively. I get the sense that these issues might be dealt with in future novels, but I'm not quite sure. So a little more info would have been helpful there.
Also, there were enough typos and editing errors to warrant another round of revision. The issues weren't overly distracting, but enough that I would have given the novel three and a half stars, if that were an option.
Overall, though, I really liked LUCK OF THE DRAGON and can't wait to read the next in the series.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=11011.
In the novel, Lucy is a world-renowned gemologist who is forced into stealing from Alec Gerald, the infamous Las Vegas casino owner, and unbeknownst to Lucy, the King of the Dragons. Lucy has some serious co-dependency problems with her brother, who has once again lost his shirt via bad luck at the horse races. Gino, a mob enforcer, is determined to get his hands on Alec Gerald's fortune by using Lucy to gain access to the priceless gem exhibit at the casino. Little does Lucy know that her getting between Alec and his gems is the worst way to save her brother. Add to that little drama a formidable foe from the past that has returned to challenge Alec's throne and an ancient mating/fertility ceremony that is necessary to ensure the continuation of the dragon shifter species, and the heat from the Strip just gets hotter.
I enjoyed LUCK OF THE DRAGON immensely. The action-packed plot was surprisingly believable. Given the variety of people and businesses in Las Vegas, it doesn't seem that much of a stretch to imagine that, if dragon shifters did exist, Las Vegas is where they'd be. I loved the characters; well-illustrated and sympathetic, even Joey, the screw-up brother. The novel glitters with fantastic descriptions of the casino and priceless gems and artifacts in the exhibit, and while the romance is hot, it isn't over the top. Still, the novel is appropriate for adults only.
I could have used a bit more illustration of the dragons themselves, as well as some expansion on the subplots pertaining to Vito, Gino's brother, Bruno, Gino's right-hand man, Joey, and the magic briefly introduced in two characters' plotlines. The gem heist plotline seemed a bit unresolved after Vito and Bruno are mentioned, but not addressed substantively. I get the sense that these issues might be dealt with in future novels, but I'm not quite sure. So a little more info would have been helpful there.
Also, there were enough typos and editing errors to warrant another round of revision. The issues weren't overly distracting, but enough that I would have given the novel three and a half stars, if that were an option.
Overall, though, I really liked LUCK OF THE DRAGON and can't wait to read the next in the series.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=11011.
Disintegrate by Christine Klocek-Lim - 3 stars
DISINTEGRATE by Christine Klocek-Lim provides a fantastic new look at the blessings and horrors of genetic mutations in humans. I give it 3 stars.
In the novel, Emily lives the typical poor college student life, eating ramen noodles and barely scraping enough money together for tuition and books, but Emily is anything but typical. Due to some scientific experiments performed by her parents, Emily has the power to manipulate inorganic material and disintegrate organic material.
One night while suffering a bout of insomnia, Emily is drawn by an odd sort of buzzing to a dive bar, where a guy named Jax is playing the guitar. As it turns out, Jax shares Emily's buzz, and when a group of mercenaries attack the club, Jax and Emily realize they share more than a mere attraction. Together they will have to figure out how to survive and build a life as their world disintegrates.
On the whole I enjoyed DISINTEGRATE. The characters were believable, and the plot action-packed. I appreciated the young adult aspect of the novel; the romance was sweet and realistic.
I would have liked to see more of an introduction to the characters and their issues in the beginning. It felt like I had been dropped into the middle of the story. Likewise, the ending felt incomplete and unresolved. I wondered if I missed something or if this was the second book in a trilogy. This was a major issue for me the entire book because I had so many questions that were not answered. Hence, the three star rating instead of four.
Notwithstanding my unanswered questions, DISINTEGRATE was a quick read and well worth the effort.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=9817.
In the novel, Emily lives the typical poor college student life, eating ramen noodles and barely scraping enough money together for tuition and books, but Emily is anything but typical. Due to some scientific experiments performed by her parents, Emily has the power to manipulate inorganic material and disintegrate organic material.
One night while suffering a bout of insomnia, Emily is drawn by an odd sort of buzzing to a dive bar, where a guy named Jax is playing the guitar. As it turns out, Jax shares Emily's buzz, and when a group of mercenaries attack the club, Jax and Emily realize they share more than a mere attraction. Together they will have to figure out how to survive and build a life as their world disintegrates.
On the whole I enjoyed DISINTEGRATE. The characters were believable, and the plot action-packed. I appreciated the young adult aspect of the novel; the romance was sweet and realistic.
I would have liked to see more of an introduction to the characters and their issues in the beginning. It felt like I had been dropped into the middle of the story. Likewise, the ending felt incomplete and unresolved. I wondered if I missed something or if this was the second book in a trilogy. This was a major issue for me the entire book because I had so many questions that were not answered. Hence, the three star rating instead of four.
Notwithstanding my unanswered questions, DISINTEGRATE was a quick read and well worth the effort.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=9817.
Verity's Lie (Huntley #3) by Grace Elliot - 4 stars
VERITY'S LIE by Grace Elliot is a fantastic cautionary tale for parents who think protecting their children means keeping them ignorant of the dangers of life and sheltered from all harm. I give it four stars.
In VERITY'S LIE, Miss Verity Verrinder becomes a protectee of Her Majesty's government when her father travels to Austria and Prussia on diplomatic assignment. Charles Huntley, Lord Ryevale, is the chosen protector, which some of his acquaintances describe as letting the wolf guard the lamb. Ryevale does his best to guard Verity without her knowledge, but inadvertently puts himself in a position where he falls in love with her. Ryevale's conscience pricks him, and he tries to be honest with Verity about his assignment and how he feels about her.
Ryevale's plan backfires because he left out the main piece of the story--that he is a spy for the government--and Verity decides to give Ryevale a taste of his own medicine by lying to him about her feelings and plans. Unfortunately for her, the French use the opportunity that Verity's lie creates to abduct her. His rescue leads Ryevale to propose to Verity, but she absolutely does not trust him. Drama ensues.
Overall, I enjoyed VERITY'S LIE. Even though Verity succumbs to the stereotypical romance novel drama and refuses to marry Ryevale, her refusal is supported by Ryevale's botched attempts to be honest with her. So her refusal of Ryevale goes beyond her not wanting to marry someone out of social obligation; she actually has a reason not to trust him.
The development of Verity and Ryevale's relationship was well done, illustrating the various opportunities for conversation and getting to know each other. So the romance was supported by substance, not just physical attraction. There was quite a bit of physical attraction, though, and graphic descriptions of their physical relationship, making this novel suitable for adults only.
On the technical side, the plot unfolded at a comfortable pace and provided just enough mystery to keep the reader guessing at whether there was actually a threat to Verity. Aside from some blatant editing issues, there was also some great word play. One of my favorite phrases is the description of the quiet of the workhouse as "the blanketing silence of despair." Another describes the worn workhouse floor as "a testament to the teaming throng of misery that had shuffled along th[e] passage."
I would definitely recommend this novel to any reader who loves Regency romance or spy novels.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10970.
In VERITY'S LIE, Miss Verity Verrinder becomes a protectee of Her Majesty's government when her father travels to Austria and Prussia on diplomatic assignment. Charles Huntley, Lord Ryevale, is the chosen protector, which some of his acquaintances describe as letting the wolf guard the lamb. Ryevale does his best to guard Verity without her knowledge, but inadvertently puts himself in a position where he falls in love with her. Ryevale's conscience pricks him, and he tries to be honest with Verity about his assignment and how he feels about her.
Ryevale's plan backfires because he left out the main piece of the story--that he is a spy for the government--and Verity decides to give Ryevale a taste of his own medicine by lying to him about her feelings and plans. Unfortunately for her, the French use the opportunity that Verity's lie creates to abduct her. His rescue leads Ryevale to propose to Verity, but she absolutely does not trust him. Drama ensues.
Overall, I enjoyed VERITY'S LIE. Even though Verity succumbs to the stereotypical romance novel drama and refuses to marry Ryevale, her refusal is supported by Ryevale's botched attempts to be honest with her. So her refusal of Ryevale goes beyond her not wanting to marry someone out of social obligation; she actually has a reason not to trust him.
The development of Verity and Ryevale's relationship was well done, illustrating the various opportunities for conversation and getting to know each other. So the romance was supported by substance, not just physical attraction. There was quite a bit of physical attraction, though, and graphic descriptions of their physical relationship, making this novel suitable for adults only.
On the technical side, the plot unfolded at a comfortable pace and provided just enough mystery to keep the reader guessing at whether there was actually a threat to Verity. Aside from some blatant editing issues, there was also some great word play. One of my favorite phrases is the description of the quiet of the workhouse as "the blanketing silence of despair." Another describes the worn workhouse floor as "a testament to the teaming throng of misery that had shuffled along th[e] passage."
I would definitely recommend this novel to any reader who loves Regency romance or spy novels.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10970.
Hope's Betrayal (Huntley #2) by Grace Elliot - 3 stars
HOPE'S BETRAYAL by Grace Elliot illustrates the smuggling problem in England during the Napoleonic war and highlights the social problems that led to its appeal. Even though the story is a good one, there were so many editing issues that I have to give the novel 3 stars.
In HOPE'S BETRAYAL, Hope Tyler is arrested under suspicion of smuggling after being caught on the beach in the middle of the night, with suspected smugglers rowing away from shore. Captain George Huntley, heir to his brother's title, has been reassigned temporarily to the Excise Office while his ship is being refitted, tasked to destroy the smuggling ring in the Southwest and ferret out any traitors in the Excise office. Given Hope's injuries sustained while fleeing George's arrest, George takes her to his family estate nearby for medical attention and then, after she regains consciousness, for interrogation.
Even though sparks fly between them, George is determined to treat her as a criminal. George's mom intervenes and offers Hope employment as her secretary, remembering Hope's mother from her youth. George learns of some vicious gossip about Hope and him, which has been spread through the Excise Office and the local community, and he requests a transfer to another area to maintain his reputation. After being wounded during a pivotal skirmish, George goes home to convalesce, but with Hope still working for his mother and the leader of the smuggling ring still at large, George's recovery is anything but peaceful.
I enjoyed HOPE'S BETRAYAL. The plot unfolds at a nice pace and is sufficiently complex to keep the reader interested. The characters are likeable, though as with many other Regency romance novels, Hope rejects George's suit even though she is in love with him. The romance overall is believable, and while it may be spicy in a few places, the novel is still okay for teens aged 16 and older.
On the technical side, there were enough irksome typos, redundant descriptions, funky sentence structure, grammar issues and punctuation problems that the novel really needs another revision with a fresh set of eyes. Otherwise, HOPE'S BETRAYAL was a nice read, and I recommend it to any lover of Regency romance.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10969.
In HOPE'S BETRAYAL, Hope Tyler is arrested under suspicion of smuggling after being caught on the beach in the middle of the night, with suspected smugglers rowing away from shore. Captain George Huntley, heir to his brother's title, has been reassigned temporarily to the Excise Office while his ship is being refitted, tasked to destroy the smuggling ring in the Southwest and ferret out any traitors in the Excise office. Given Hope's injuries sustained while fleeing George's arrest, George takes her to his family estate nearby for medical attention and then, after she regains consciousness, for interrogation.
Even though sparks fly between them, George is determined to treat her as a criminal. George's mom intervenes and offers Hope employment as her secretary, remembering Hope's mother from her youth. George learns of some vicious gossip about Hope and him, which has been spread through the Excise Office and the local community, and he requests a transfer to another area to maintain his reputation. After being wounded during a pivotal skirmish, George goes home to convalesce, but with Hope still working for his mother and the leader of the smuggling ring still at large, George's recovery is anything but peaceful.
I enjoyed HOPE'S BETRAYAL. The plot unfolds at a nice pace and is sufficiently complex to keep the reader interested. The characters are likeable, though as with many other Regency romance novels, Hope rejects George's suit even though she is in love with him. The romance overall is believable, and while it may be spicy in a few places, the novel is still okay for teens aged 16 and older.
On the technical side, there were enough irksome typos, redundant descriptions, funky sentence structure, grammar issues and punctuation problems that the novel really needs another revision with a fresh set of eyes. Otherwise, HOPE'S BETRAYAL was a nice read, and I recommend it to any lover of Regency romance.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10969.
Friday, November 15, 2013
The Publicist by Christina George (Book 1) - 2 stars
THE PUBLICIST by Christina George is an interesting exposé on the inner workings of book publishing. Unfortunately, the meandering plotline, sudden, unresolved ending, and poor editing merit a rating of 2 stars.
In the novel, Kate Mitchell has been a publicist for seven years, working her way up the oft unfair publishing corporate ladder, inch by excruciating inch. She has had a series of relationships with the "wrong" sort of man, and so has decided to focus on her career. However, a subtly growing attraction to her married coworker, Mac, causes her no end of consternation. Kate also has to deal with the matchmaking machinations of her friend, mentor and confidant, author Allan Lavigne, who consistently touts the eligibility of his nephew, Nicholas.
I was intrigued by the synopsis of THE PUBLICIST, but was seriously disappointed in the novel as a whole. The idea itself is fantastic. Who doesn't want to know how the book they are currently reading gets from the author's initial copy to the bookstore? We consumers often just see the book in its final product and read it, clueless about all the hard work that goes into selling that book. Being able to see behind the curtain was a fascinating prospect for me.
The concept and substantive part of the book were great. The dialogue, the tension, and the opportunities for Kate to get out of her protective shell--all of these things were spot on. The romantic development between Mac and Kate was believable. The romance was a bit graphic, making the book appropriate for those 18 and older.
Unfortunately, the novel has some serious structural flaws. The first major issue is the editing. There is no consistency in the grammar. Sometimes it is right on--commas in the correct place, proper subject-verb agreement, etc. Other times it is so off as to be an English teacher's worst nightmare--lack of commas, use of colons, redundant words or descriptors, run on sentences galore. This novel needs a major overhaul with a fine tooth comb in the grammar department.
The novel also took some time to get to what I can only surmise is supposed to be the main plotline--the relationship between Mac and Kate. The relationship begins, but then that relationship turns out to be a very small part of the novel. So many subplots are raised that the reader is left wondering what the book is really about. Is it a romance or is it a book about publishing with romantic elements? The novel could benefit from a timeline to keep it on track and to keep the references to each character's past consistently referenced.
The subplots might have been okay, though, if the various strings were tied off. There is certainly enough material here for a fantastic series, but each book should be a complete entity in itself; the romance plotline and the work/industry drama should also all be resolved by the end of the book. Book two can contain a different romance and a different problem project.
Overall, I had high hopes for THE PUBLICIST, but I was seriously disappointed. Book two was highlighted at the end of book one. Sadly, I did not enjoy book one enough to prompt me to suffer through the same issues in order to find out what happens to Mac, Nick and Kate in book two. If book two addresses the issues described above, I might be persuaded to give it a read.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10733.
In the novel, Kate Mitchell has been a publicist for seven years, working her way up the oft unfair publishing corporate ladder, inch by excruciating inch. She has had a series of relationships with the "wrong" sort of man, and so has decided to focus on her career. However, a subtly growing attraction to her married coworker, Mac, causes her no end of consternation. Kate also has to deal with the matchmaking machinations of her friend, mentor and confidant, author Allan Lavigne, who consistently touts the eligibility of his nephew, Nicholas.
I was intrigued by the synopsis of THE PUBLICIST, but was seriously disappointed in the novel as a whole. The idea itself is fantastic. Who doesn't want to know how the book they are currently reading gets from the author's initial copy to the bookstore? We consumers often just see the book in its final product and read it, clueless about all the hard work that goes into selling that book. Being able to see behind the curtain was a fascinating prospect for me.
The concept and substantive part of the book were great. The dialogue, the tension, and the opportunities for Kate to get out of her protective shell--all of these things were spot on. The romantic development between Mac and Kate was believable. The romance was a bit graphic, making the book appropriate for those 18 and older.
Unfortunately, the novel has some serious structural flaws. The first major issue is the editing. There is no consistency in the grammar. Sometimes it is right on--commas in the correct place, proper subject-verb agreement, etc. Other times it is so off as to be an English teacher's worst nightmare--lack of commas, use of colons, redundant words or descriptors, run on sentences galore. This novel needs a major overhaul with a fine tooth comb in the grammar department.
The novel also took some time to get to what I can only surmise is supposed to be the main plotline--the relationship between Mac and Kate. The relationship begins, but then that relationship turns out to be a very small part of the novel. So many subplots are raised that the reader is left wondering what the book is really about. Is it a romance or is it a book about publishing with romantic elements? The novel could benefit from a timeline to keep it on track and to keep the references to each character's past consistently referenced.
The subplots might have been okay, though, if the various strings were tied off. There is certainly enough material here for a fantastic series, but each book should be a complete entity in itself; the romance plotline and the work/industry drama should also all be resolved by the end of the book. Book two can contain a different romance and a different problem project.
Overall, I had high hopes for THE PUBLICIST, but I was seriously disappointed. Book two was highlighted at the end of book one. Sadly, I did not enjoy book one enough to prompt me to suffer through the same issues in order to find out what happens to Mac, Nick and Kate in book two. If book two addresses the issues described above, I might be persuaded to give it a read.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10733.
Against Her Rules by Victoria Barbour - 3 stars
AGAINST HER RULES by Victoria Barbour is a classic romance that will warm your heart and make you laugh. I give it three stars, and given the Newfoundland weather forecast, I recommend pairing it with a cup of hot cocoa.
In AGAINST HER RULES, Elsie Walsh runs a classy Newfoundland inn that has become a haven for celebrities looking to get away from the paparazzi. Given the number of attractive celebs she's served, she has one rule: Never get involved with guests. During this particular winter, Elsie must deal with her past rule-breaking when she falls madly in love at first sight with Scottish artist Campbell Scott, and then has her past rule-breakee, Asher Collin, show up unexpectedly.
Elsie's family does their best to encourage her in Campbell's direction, but she assures them that no good ever comes from breaking her #1 rule. No matter how hard Elsie tries, though, she can't stay away from Campbell, and when the paparazzi show up on Elsie's lawn, the Heart's Ease Inn family and guests have to come up with a way to save the inn's reputation as a private getaway. The solution may just be the final blow to Elsie's number one rule.
I enjoyed AGAINST HER RULES. It was a quick read with a happy ending. The characters were likeable, especially Great-Aunt Ida, who brought serious comedy to the novel.
The plot was a classical straightforward romance, and while a reader like me may have trouble believing in the existence of love at first sight on a philosophical level, the romance here is actually supported by the couple's time spent together talking and sightseeing, not just by physical attraction. There is plenty of physical attraction, though, and given the pervasive and graphic descriptions, this book is appropriate for adults only.
I would have liked to see a bit more depth and drama to the plot; there was plenty of opportunity with the appearance of Asher, the paparazzi, and then Campbell's family, but this is more personal preference.
Overall, AGAINST HER RULES is a good novel to read when it's raining and cold outside and you are snuggled up under a soft blanket, or in a favorite armchair in front of a warm fire. If you are a fan of classic romances, this is a good book for you.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10136.
In AGAINST HER RULES, Elsie Walsh runs a classy Newfoundland inn that has become a haven for celebrities looking to get away from the paparazzi. Given the number of attractive celebs she's served, she has one rule: Never get involved with guests. During this particular winter, Elsie must deal with her past rule-breaking when she falls madly in love at first sight with Scottish artist Campbell Scott, and then has her past rule-breakee, Asher Collin, show up unexpectedly.
Elsie's family does their best to encourage her in Campbell's direction, but she assures them that no good ever comes from breaking her #1 rule. No matter how hard Elsie tries, though, she can't stay away from Campbell, and when the paparazzi show up on Elsie's lawn, the Heart's Ease Inn family and guests have to come up with a way to save the inn's reputation as a private getaway. The solution may just be the final blow to Elsie's number one rule.
I enjoyed AGAINST HER RULES. It was a quick read with a happy ending. The characters were likeable, especially Great-Aunt Ida, who brought serious comedy to the novel.
The plot was a classical straightforward romance, and while a reader like me may have trouble believing in the existence of love at first sight on a philosophical level, the romance here is actually supported by the couple's time spent together talking and sightseeing, not just by physical attraction. There is plenty of physical attraction, though, and given the pervasive and graphic descriptions, this book is appropriate for adults only.
I would have liked to see a bit more depth and drama to the plot; there was plenty of opportunity with the appearance of Asher, the paparazzi, and then Campbell's family, but this is more personal preference.
Overall, AGAINST HER RULES is a good novel to read when it's raining and cold outside and you are snuggled up under a soft blanket, or in a favorite armchair in front of a warm fire. If you are a fan of classic romances, this is a good book for you.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10136.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
The Ghost Next Door (A Love Story) by Ginny Baird - 3 stars
THE GHOST NEXT DOOR by Ginny Baird is a sweet and slightly suspenseful romance, perfect for Halloween-time reading. I give it 3 stars because I was disappointed by the poor editing, but pleasantly surprised by the ending.
In THE GHOST NEXT DOOR, Elizabeth and Claire Jennings move to a small town in Virginia so that Elizabeth can resurrect the defunct local paper recently acquired by her Richmond-based employer. The ladies are a bit unsettled by the location of their house – across the street from a cemetery and next door to a spooky old Victorian house. The people in the town, save a small few, are warm and welcoming, though.
Elizabeth and Claire soon develop romantic interests and gradually become settled into their new life. The whole town is worried, though, about the disappearances of several families over the past few years. (Cue the creepy music.)
I was definitely intrigued by this novel when I read the synopsis, especially given that it is nearly Halloween. The characters are likable and engaging, and they interact well. I like the subtle commentary on bullying and how to deal with it.
The plot is believable in that Claire has problems with a bully at school and Elizabeth has annoying challenges at work. The romance is sweet and realistically timed. THE GHOST NEXT DOOR reads like a Young Adult novel, but I think that adults would enjoy, too.
The pace moves a bit slowly, but the reader can attribute that to the slow pace of small town life.
The ending was a complete surprise, even though in retrospect, I wonder why I didn't see it. I love it when a suspenseful novel surprises me. Sometimes I feel like I've seen it all, so it's nice to be surprised.
My only disappointment with this novel pertains to the editing. There were blatant misspellings and misuses of everyday words, disagreements between subjects and verbs, awkward sentence and paragraph structuring, confusing pronouns and inconsistencies in the characters' timelines. I recommend the novel be reviewed with a fresh pair of eyes, so that all readers can enjoy the fantastic plot without these issues to distract them.
Overall THE GHOST NEXT DOOR is a good read for all ages.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10790.
In THE GHOST NEXT DOOR, Elizabeth and Claire Jennings move to a small town in Virginia so that Elizabeth can resurrect the defunct local paper recently acquired by her Richmond-based employer. The ladies are a bit unsettled by the location of their house – across the street from a cemetery and next door to a spooky old Victorian house. The people in the town, save a small few, are warm and welcoming, though.
Elizabeth and Claire soon develop romantic interests and gradually become settled into their new life. The whole town is worried, though, about the disappearances of several families over the past few years. (Cue the creepy music.)
I was definitely intrigued by this novel when I read the synopsis, especially given that it is nearly Halloween. The characters are likable and engaging, and they interact well. I like the subtle commentary on bullying and how to deal with it.
The plot is believable in that Claire has problems with a bully at school and Elizabeth has annoying challenges at work. The romance is sweet and realistically timed. THE GHOST NEXT DOOR reads like a Young Adult novel, but I think that adults would enjoy, too.
The pace moves a bit slowly, but the reader can attribute that to the slow pace of small town life.
The ending was a complete surprise, even though in retrospect, I wonder why I didn't see it. I love it when a suspenseful novel surprises me. Sometimes I feel like I've seen it all, so it's nice to be surprised.
My only disappointment with this novel pertains to the editing. There were blatant misspellings and misuses of everyday words, disagreements between subjects and verbs, awkward sentence and paragraph structuring, confusing pronouns and inconsistencies in the characters' timelines. I recommend the novel be reviewed with a fresh pair of eyes, so that all readers can enjoy the fantastic plot without these issues to distract them.
Overall THE GHOST NEXT DOOR is a good read for all ages.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10790.
Everlasting Enchantment by Kathryne Kennedy - 4 stars
EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT by Kathryne Kennedy is a fantastic novel that has a little something for everyone--action, adventure, history, friendship and love. I give it 4 stars and will definitely be checking out the other novels in this Relics of Merlin series.
In EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT, Millicent Pantere, a shape shifter who has lived her entire life in London's Underground, is coerced into stealing a magical historical artifact, one of the legendary relics of Merlin. These relics are known to have more magical power than any person on the planet, but this particular relic also has a curse and a handsome medieval knight bound to it.
Hundreds of years ago, Sir Gareth Solimere seduced Merlin's lover, and his punishment was to be trapped inside a moonstone bracelet, only able to come out from midnight until dawn, until "true love" freed him from his captivity. Millicent rebuffs Sir Gareth's advances but eventually gives in, and Sir Gareth is hopeful that Millicent will be the one to free him. First, however, Millicent, Sir Gareth, and Millicent's friends from the Underground must foil a plot to overthrow the crown.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The descriptions of the magical world in which Millicent and Sir Gareth exist were fascinating and so well done that I was easily able to imagine the various places where the novel unfolds. The action was also great; bloody battles between good and evil all aimed at freeing those persons in captivity.
The plot and pacing were perfect; the plot was balanced, not too simple and not too complex, and the pacing was consistent throughout.
The romance was on the graphic side, making this book appropriate for adults, and because of the drama experienced by the characters, the romance between Millicent and Sir Gareth was believable.
I look forward to reading the other novels in this series, and I definitely recommend this novel to those who enjoy paranormal or historical fiction.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=12082.
In EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT, Millicent Pantere, a shape shifter who has lived her entire life in London's Underground, is coerced into stealing a magical historical artifact, one of the legendary relics of Merlin. These relics are known to have more magical power than any person on the planet, but this particular relic also has a curse and a handsome medieval knight bound to it.
Hundreds of years ago, Sir Gareth Solimere seduced Merlin's lover, and his punishment was to be trapped inside a moonstone bracelet, only able to come out from midnight until dawn, until "true love" freed him from his captivity. Millicent rebuffs Sir Gareth's advances but eventually gives in, and Sir Gareth is hopeful that Millicent will be the one to free him. First, however, Millicent, Sir Gareth, and Millicent's friends from the Underground must foil a plot to overthrow the crown.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The descriptions of the magical world in which Millicent and Sir Gareth exist were fascinating and so well done that I was easily able to imagine the various places where the novel unfolds. The action was also great; bloody battles between good and evil all aimed at freeing those persons in captivity.
The plot and pacing were perfect; the plot was balanced, not too simple and not too complex, and the pacing was consistent throughout.
The romance was on the graphic side, making this book appropriate for adults, and because of the drama experienced by the characters, the romance between Millicent and Sir Gareth was believable.
I look forward to reading the other novels in this series, and I definitely recommend this novel to those who enjoy paranormal or historical fiction.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=12082.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Maiden's Mistake by Elizabeth Ashtree - 4 stars
MAIDEN'S MISTAKE by Elizabeth Ashtree is an emotional drama that will make you burn the midnight oil to find out what happens in the end. I give it 4 stars and look forward to reading more of Elizabeth Ashtree's work.
In MAIDEN'S MISTAKE, Juliette Markham is sent to live with the Earl of Mercia, a friend of her father's, while her parents are abroad visiting her dying grandfather. Unbeknownst to all, Juliette was found inebriated and in a compromising situation at her home, and after listening to gossip in the Earl of Mercia's house, concludes that she is pregnant.
The Earl of Mercia's life has been plagued by an arsonist, beginning with the death of his father, older brother and little sister in a house fire when he was thirteen. His own efforts to rescue his family from the fire left him scarred and unable to have children. He is attracted to Juliette when she first arrives at his estate, and when she tells him of her situation, he decides to marry her to protect her reputation and ensure the Mercia succession.
The plan goes awry when the newlyweds discover that Juliette was not quite as compromised as she originally thought. The Earl decides to annul the marriage, but Juliette is determined to stay together. In the midst of the romantic drama, the arsonist continues to cause problems.
I enjoyed MAIDEN'S MISTAKE, despite the fact that a couple of the plot twists were predictable and that the book could use another round of editing to deal with some obvious issues. The characters were well-illustrated and easily draw the reader's sympathy. The reader can easily understand the characters' emotional issues.
The romantic development was also realistic in that the passing of time is described. This is no overnight or love at first sight romance, and the characters have to fight for their relationship. The romance itself is appropriate for those 18 years of age and older due to some graphic wording.
MAIDEN'S MISTAKE is a great read and should be on any romance reader's autumn reading list.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10718.
In MAIDEN'S MISTAKE, Juliette Markham is sent to live with the Earl of Mercia, a friend of her father's, while her parents are abroad visiting her dying grandfather. Unbeknownst to all, Juliette was found inebriated and in a compromising situation at her home, and after listening to gossip in the Earl of Mercia's house, concludes that she is pregnant.
The Earl of Mercia's life has been plagued by an arsonist, beginning with the death of his father, older brother and little sister in a house fire when he was thirteen. His own efforts to rescue his family from the fire left him scarred and unable to have children. He is attracted to Juliette when she first arrives at his estate, and when she tells him of her situation, he decides to marry her to protect her reputation and ensure the Mercia succession.
The plan goes awry when the newlyweds discover that Juliette was not quite as compromised as she originally thought. The Earl decides to annul the marriage, but Juliette is determined to stay together. In the midst of the romantic drama, the arsonist continues to cause problems.
I enjoyed MAIDEN'S MISTAKE, despite the fact that a couple of the plot twists were predictable and that the book could use another round of editing to deal with some obvious issues. The characters were well-illustrated and easily draw the reader's sympathy. The reader can easily understand the characters' emotional issues.
The romantic development was also realistic in that the passing of time is described. This is no overnight or love at first sight romance, and the characters have to fight for their relationship. The romance itself is appropriate for those 18 years of age and older due to some graphic wording.
MAIDEN'S MISTAKE is a great read and should be on any romance reader's autumn reading list.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10718.
Civilizing Frances (Mad Hatterlys #3) by Marguerite Butler - 4 stars
CIVILIZING FRANCES by Marguerite Butler is the fabulously entertaining third installment of the Mad Hatterlys series. I give it 4 stars and hope the novels keep on coming.
Frances Hatterly, the only daughter in the Mad Hatterly family, escapes from a ball after having her dress ruined by a capuchin monkey, only to end up alone in a room with Oliver James, the Duke of Ainsley, inadvertently compromised. Because it is still early in the Season, the Duke of Ainsley's mother suggests a house party where Frances and Oliver can get acquainted in relatively private surroundings before the engagement is announced.
Ainsley very nearly fell in love with Frances at first sight, that is, until she demonstrated her uncivilized nature by punching her younger brother at a ball. Now having innocently compromised Frances Hatterly, he is convinced they would not suit and seeks an alternative solution. Taking a cue from Prudence Hatterly's playbook, Oliver hopes to marry Frances off to another gentleman at the house party. He never expects to want to marry her himself, but it may be too late for them, as another gentleman has his eyes on Frances as well.
CIVILIZING FRANCES is another stellar novel by Marguerite Butler, with the same hilarity and sweetness as the previous two books in the series. Some of my favorite scenes are set at the house party dinner table. Who hasn't been to dinner with people who don't quite know how to behave themselves in public? It is so painful, it's funny.
The technical aspects of the novel--the pace, character development, editing and romantic development--are well-done as always, and the romance is still appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
As with the first two novels in this series, any historical fiction lover will enjoy CIVILIZING FRANCES immensely. I definitely consider it a reading opportunity not to be missed.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10715.
Frances Hatterly, the only daughter in the Mad Hatterly family, escapes from a ball after having her dress ruined by a capuchin monkey, only to end up alone in a room with Oliver James, the Duke of Ainsley, inadvertently compromised. Because it is still early in the Season, the Duke of Ainsley's mother suggests a house party where Frances and Oliver can get acquainted in relatively private surroundings before the engagement is announced.
Ainsley very nearly fell in love with Frances at first sight, that is, until she demonstrated her uncivilized nature by punching her younger brother at a ball. Now having innocently compromised Frances Hatterly, he is convinced they would not suit and seeks an alternative solution. Taking a cue from Prudence Hatterly's playbook, Oliver hopes to marry Frances off to another gentleman at the house party. He never expects to want to marry her himself, but it may be too late for them, as another gentleman has his eyes on Frances as well.
CIVILIZING FRANCES is another stellar novel by Marguerite Butler, with the same hilarity and sweetness as the previous two books in the series. Some of my favorite scenes are set at the house party dinner table. Who hasn't been to dinner with people who don't quite know how to behave themselves in public? It is so painful, it's funny.
The technical aspects of the novel--the pace, character development, editing and romantic development--are well-done as always, and the romance is still appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
As with the first two novels in this series, any historical fiction lover will enjoy CIVILIZING FRANCES immensely. I definitely consider it a reading opportunity not to be missed.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10715.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Compromising Prudence (Mad Hatterlys #1) by Marguerite Butler - 4 stars
COMPROMISING PRUDENCE by Marguerite Butler is a short and funny story about how one should remember one's name when responding to life's troubles, or alternatively, one should not name thy children after virtues, lest they become ironic names. I give this novella four stars.
In COMPROMISING PRUDENCE, The Honorable Miss Prudence Wemberly has landed herself in a pickle after being found in a kiss with a gentleman. The gentleman agrees to do the honorable thing, but then flees to his family's collective bosom and disavows any obligation to marry Prudence. Prudence disobeys her father and goes to find her missing betrothed, only to be heartbroken by his rejection and the jeers of his friends and family.
Prudence anticipates her father disowning her and decides to seek a position as a courtesan with one of the most illustrious Madams in London, concluding that if one has to be ruined, one might as well enjoy it. While at the brothel, she drinks too much and ends up going home with the marriageable Charles Hatterly.
Charles Hatterly goes to town every year for a month in order to satisfy his father's urgings that he marry. After leaving a private party where no young lady suited his criteria for a wife, Charles runs randomly into an intoxicated Prudence as she awaits an interview with the Madam, and he is almost instantly intrigued. The rest, as they say, is history.
I enjoyed this novella immensely. It was funny, witty and well-written. There was a lesson / reminder for all in being patient, avoiding rash decisions, and acting wisely when faced with life's challenges. The pace of the novella was quick, and the plotline simple.
The romance was believable, even for a novella. There were just enough background and character details to make it so, and no hyperbolic declarations of love to baffle the reader. The romance was also respectfully done, making the content appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
Any historical fiction lover or anyone who has ever had a spat with a parent would enjoy this novella. Take an afternoon to relax with COMPROMISING PRUDENCE; you won't be disappointed.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10714.
In COMPROMISING PRUDENCE, The Honorable Miss Prudence Wemberly has landed herself in a pickle after being found in a kiss with a gentleman. The gentleman agrees to do the honorable thing, but then flees to his family's collective bosom and disavows any obligation to marry Prudence. Prudence disobeys her father and goes to find her missing betrothed, only to be heartbroken by his rejection and the jeers of his friends and family.
Prudence anticipates her father disowning her and decides to seek a position as a courtesan with one of the most illustrious Madams in London, concluding that if one has to be ruined, one might as well enjoy it. While at the brothel, she drinks too much and ends up going home with the marriageable Charles Hatterly.
Charles Hatterly goes to town every year for a month in order to satisfy his father's urgings that he marry. After leaving a private party where no young lady suited his criteria for a wife, Charles runs randomly into an intoxicated Prudence as she awaits an interview with the Madam, and he is almost instantly intrigued. The rest, as they say, is history.
I enjoyed this novella immensely. It was funny, witty and well-written. There was a lesson / reminder for all in being patient, avoiding rash decisions, and acting wisely when faced with life's challenges. The pace of the novella was quick, and the plotline simple.
The romance was believable, even for a novella. There were just enough background and character details to make it so, and no hyperbolic declarations of love to baffle the reader. The romance was also respectfully done, making the content appropriate for those 16 years of age and older.
Any historical fiction lover or anyone who has ever had a spat with a parent would enjoy this novella. Take an afternoon to relax with COMPROMISING PRUDENCE; you won't be disappointed.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10714.
Monday, September 30, 2013
A Song at Twilight by Pamela Sherwood - 4 stars
A SONG AT TWILIGHT by Pamela Sherwood hits all the right notes. Even with the varying tempo and key changes, it crescendos nicely and resolves in a happy fermata. This book will thrill any music or poetry lover with its quotations, but with murder and politics, A SONG AT TWILIGHT will raise the roof for every reader. I give it four stars.
A SONG AT TWILIGHT tells the tale of how Miss Sophie Tresilian and Mr. Robin Pendarvis conquer the challenging stanzas in their path to greatness. When they first meet, Sophie is seventeen and just preparing for her come out. Robin, twenty-five, has just arrived in Cornwall in order to be with his ailing great uncle. It is very nearly love at first sight for both of them, but Robin has some secrets that explode in his face, leaving him in the heart-wrenching position of having to choose between his family or Sophie. The story plays out over the span of six years, and thus gains the categorization as an epic love story.
I really enjoyed A SONG AT TWILIGHT. The characters were well-illustrated through their interactions, and the development of the romantic relationship between Sophie and Robin was absolutely realistic. While the book has a happy ending, Sophie and Robin have to deal with serious challenges and work through difficulties to get it. I loved the fact that while the characters' feelings and thoughts are documented, there were no overbearing, repetitive narratives where Sophie or Robin ruminates over ridiculous insecurities. The editing was also well done.
The romance is appropriately timed, but still rates as a 3 on the heat scale for the descriptors utilized.
There were only a few noteworthy issues. The pacing of the book feels extremely slow in the beginning. I had difficulty getting into the book, partly because I didn't see a way out of the gloom and doom for the protagonists. I repeatedly had to check to see how many pages were in the book to motivate myself to keep reading. The pacing picks up at the middle though, and continues comfortably until the end.
There was also a part where Sir Nankivell's slander is dropped into the plotline, but the slander is only given a proper introduction after the drama is resolved. It felt like I was missing a page in the book, or the pages were out of order. Either way, it was a tad confusing and made me stop to look back and see where I missed something. I had a similar feeling with a few of the characters. Some of the references to other characters' challenges made me wonder if A SONG AT TWILIGHT was the second or third book in a series. Their situations were briefly and appropriately described, though, so I didn't feel like I was missing any information necessary to this novel.
Finally, while the murder mystery is excellently done with some crafty foreshadowing via Sophie's reading materials and a lovely twist in the end, the existence of Nathalie and the interference of Nankivell was so predictable, I felt as if the characters had eaten stupid for breakfast, their naivety and oversight seemingly out of character for them.
Issues aside, I really enjoyed the A SONG AT TWILIGHT, and I highly recommend it for any lover of poetry, music, or historical fiction.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10692.
A SONG AT TWILIGHT tells the tale of how Miss Sophie Tresilian and Mr. Robin Pendarvis conquer the challenging stanzas in their path to greatness. When they first meet, Sophie is seventeen and just preparing for her come out. Robin, twenty-five, has just arrived in Cornwall in order to be with his ailing great uncle. It is very nearly love at first sight for both of them, but Robin has some secrets that explode in his face, leaving him in the heart-wrenching position of having to choose between his family or Sophie. The story plays out over the span of six years, and thus gains the categorization as an epic love story.
I really enjoyed A SONG AT TWILIGHT. The characters were well-illustrated through their interactions, and the development of the romantic relationship between Sophie and Robin was absolutely realistic. While the book has a happy ending, Sophie and Robin have to deal with serious challenges and work through difficulties to get it. I loved the fact that while the characters' feelings and thoughts are documented, there were no overbearing, repetitive narratives where Sophie or Robin ruminates over ridiculous insecurities. The editing was also well done.
The romance is appropriately timed, but still rates as a 3 on the heat scale for the descriptors utilized.
There were only a few noteworthy issues. The pacing of the book feels extremely slow in the beginning. I had difficulty getting into the book, partly because I didn't see a way out of the gloom and doom for the protagonists. I repeatedly had to check to see how many pages were in the book to motivate myself to keep reading. The pacing picks up at the middle though, and continues comfortably until the end.
There was also a part where Sir Nankivell's slander is dropped into the plotline, but the slander is only given a proper introduction after the drama is resolved. It felt like I was missing a page in the book, or the pages were out of order. Either way, it was a tad confusing and made me stop to look back and see where I missed something. I had a similar feeling with a few of the characters. Some of the references to other characters' challenges made me wonder if A SONG AT TWILIGHT was the second or third book in a series. Their situations were briefly and appropriately described, though, so I didn't feel like I was missing any information necessary to this novel.
Finally, while the murder mystery is excellently done with some crafty foreshadowing via Sophie's reading materials and a lovely twist in the end, the existence of Nathalie and the interference of Nankivell was so predictable, I felt as if the characters had eaten stupid for breakfast, their naivety and oversight seemingly out of character for them.
Issues aside, I really enjoyed the A SONG AT TWILIGHT, and I highly recommend it for any lover of poetry, music, or historical fiction.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10692.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
A Lady's Secret Weapon by Tracey Devlyn - 3 stars
A LADY'S SECRET WEAPON by Tracey Devlyn provides some thrilling action and drama, but could use a better title and some indication on the cover that it is the third book in a series. I'm still not sure what the secret weapon is, but titles and backstories aside, the book was a nice read. I give it 3 stars.
In A LADY'S SECRET WEAPON, Ethan de Beau, Viscount Danforth, is a secret agent of Nexus, the black ops division of England's Foreign Office. Ethan endeavors to tie up the loose ends of the Napoleonic War by capturing a former Nexus agent and traitor in London. His investigation leads him to an orphanage/home for boys and causes him to cross paths with Sydney Hunt, the intriguing proprietress of the Hunt Employment Agency, who is also investigating the orphanage, but for different reasons. Their investigations essentially become a joint effort and sparks fly. They must face many of the challenges typical to romantic relationships: traditional gender roles, past hurts and other emotional baggage, and danger from French spies and evil headmasters.
I enjoyed A LADY'S SECRET WEAPON, but would have enjoyed it much, much more had I known it was book 3 in a series. This series definitely needs to be read in order. It was obvious there were several backstories to the current drama, but they were not adequately described in this book for it to stand alone on the shelf. Certain connections between characters and events were confusing because there was no explanation, e.g., how Ethan's sister and Sydney are acquainted.
The novel also seemed to lack any real character development, but I suspect that the previous two books supply enough information to show more growth. And while the book has a happy ending, it feels abrupt and incomplete, as if Ethan and Sydney's happy ending will be more fully described in the next book. The romance is appropriately timed, but still garners a heat rating of 3 out of 5 for the descriptors utilized.
Once I came to the realization that this was the third book in the series, I was able to accept that I wouldn't have all my questions answered, which helped me ignore that issue and instead enjoy the plot. The plot was definitely unique and interesting, especially the explanation of the French scheme involving the orphanage. For a moment I thought perhaps there was something paranormal about what was happening at the orphanage, but was pleasantly surprised when I learned the truth. I love it when a novel can blindside me with twists I couldn't imagine. The editing was also well done; no pesky grammar problems or typos to distract the reader.
I enjoyed A LADY'S SECRET WEAPON, and I recommend it for any lover of historical mysteries.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=10798.
In A LADY'S SECRET WEAPON, Ethan de Beau, Viscount Danforth, is a secret agent of Nexus, the black ops division of England's Foreign Office. Ethan endeavors to tie up the loose ends of the Napoleonic War by capturing a former Nexus agent and traitor in London. His investigation leads him to an orphanage/home for boys and causes him to cross paths with Sydney Hunt, the intriguing proprietress of the Hunt Employment Agency, who is also investigating the orphanage, but for different reasons. Their investigations essentially become a joint effort and sparks fly. They must face many of the challenges typical to romantic relationships: traditional gender roles, past hurts and other emotional baggage, and danger from French spies and evil headmasters.
I enjoyed A LADY'S SECRET WEAPON, but would have enjoyed it much, much more had I known it was book 3 in a series. This series definitely needs to be read in order. It was obvious there were several backstories to the current drama, but they were not adequately described in this book for it to stand alone on the shelf. Certain connections between characters and events were confusing because there was no explanation, e.g., how Ethan's sister and Sydney are acquainted.
The novel also seemed to lack any real character development, but I suspect that the previous two books supply enough information to show more growth. And while the book has a happy ending, it feels abrupt and incomplete, as if Ethan and Sydney's happy ending will be more fully described in the next book. The romance is appropriately timed, but still garners a heat rating of 3 out of 5 for the descriptors utilized.
Once I came to the realization that this was the third book in the series, I was able to accept that I wouldn't have all my questions answered, which helped me ignore that issue and instead enjoy the plot. The plot was definitely unique and interesting, especially the explanation of the French scheme involving the orphanage. For a moment I thought perhaps there was something paranormal about what was happening at the orphanage, but was pleasantly surprised when I learned the truth. I love it when a novel can blindside me with twists I couldn't imagine. The editing was also well done; no pesky grammar problems or typos to distract the reader.
I enjoyed A LADY'S SECRET WEAPON, and I recommend it for any lover of historical mysteries.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=10798.
Monday, September 23, 2013
More Than A Mistress by Mary Balogh - 5 stars
MORE THAN A MISTRESS by Mary Balogh is a Regency romance that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster like none other. With damaged characters comes high drama that any lover of historical fiction will enjoy, even on the third read through. Mary Balogh paints Regency here like no other, with bold colors and careful details. I give this novel five stars.
In MORE THAN A MISTRESS, Lady Sara Jane Illingsworth runs from her home after an attempted assault by her second cousin, the son of the current Earl of Durbury. A couple days after gaining employment as Jane Ingleby, she interrupts a duel, causing Jocelyn Dudley, Duke of Tresham, to be injured. The duke drafts her as his nurse, claiming that since she is responsible for his injury, she will nurse him back to health. As his nurse, Jane is kept abreast of the gossip surrounding her cousin.
Once Jocelyn has recovered, Jane announces her intention to leave, but given what has passed between them, Jocelyn has a difficult time letting her go. So Jocelyn persuades her to become his mistress. The only problem, though, is that they fall in love. Jocelyn has a hard time dealing with his feelings, and after bearing his soul to Jane, he is terribly hurt when he discovers her true identity. Can these two learn to trust each other and make their relationship work?
I really enjoyed this novel. I have actually read it at least three times. It is definitely a keeper. The plotline is simple, but the characters are definitely not. The character development is well-illustrated, with depth and nuance. The characters' motives are clear and credible. Especially well done are the parts where Jocelyn feels hurt or insecure and lashes out at Jane. While this scenario can be typical in a Regency romance, indeed romance in general, the artistry here draws readers into the characters and makes them feel as if it were happening to them.
The pacing is just right, not too fast or too slow, keeping the reader interested and the plot moving forward.
The romantic development is also well done, clearly illustrating the difference between physical and emotional intimacy and the difficulties attaining and sustaining the emotional. The romance here is on the more detailed side, making this novel appropriate for those 18 and older.
If you are a historical fiction lover, this is not a novel to be missed. MORE THAN A MISTRESS will not disappoint.
**Review shared with The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=11061.
In MORE THAN A MISTRESS, Lady Sara Jane Illingsworth runs from her home after an attempted assault by her second cousin, the son of the current Earl of Durbury. A couple days after gaining employment as Jane Ingleby, she interrupts a duel, causing Jocelyn Dudley, Duke of Tresham, to be injured. The duke drafts her as his nurse, claiming that since she is responsible for his injury, she will nurse him back to health. As his nurse, Jane is kept abreast of the gossip surrounding her cousin.
Once Jocelyn has recovered, Jane announces her intention to leave, but given what has passed between them, Jocelyn has a difficult time letting her go. So Jocelyn persuades her to become his mistress. The only problem, though, is that they fall in love. Jocelyn has a hard time dealing with his feelings, and after bearing his soul to Jane, he is terribly hurt when he discovers her true identity. Can these two learn to trust each other and make their relationship work?
I really enjoyed this novel. I have actually read it at least three times. It is definitely a keeper. The plotline is simple, but the characters are definitely not. The character development is well-illustrated, with depth and nuance. The characters' motives are clear and credible. Especially well done are the parts where Jocelyn feels hurt or insecure and lashes out at Jane. While this scenario can be typical in a Regency romance, indeed romance in general, the artistry here draws readers into the characters and makes them feel as if it were happening to them.
The pacing is just right, not too fast or too slow, keeping the reader interested and the plot moving forward.
The romantic development is also well done, clearly illustrating the difference between physical and emotional intimacy and the difficulties attaining and sustaining the emotional. The romance here is on the more detailed side, making this novel appropriate for those 18 and older.
If you are a historical fiction lover, this is not a novel to be missed. MORE THAN A MISTRESS will not disappoint.
**Review shared with The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=11061.
Five Golden Suitors by Jennifer Ann Coffeen - 4 stars
FIVE GOLDEN SUITORS by Jennifer Ann Coffeen is a sweet novella about not missing the good thing you have right in front of you. I give it four stars, wishing it had been a full-length novel.
In FIVE GOLDEN SUITORS, Lady Penelope Waveland deals with her father's edict that she must choose a husband by midnight on Christmas Eve "or else." He provides her with five names of gentlemen who are suitable matches and all of whom are madly in love with her. She is appalled by most of the names on the list, even more so when she sees the fifth name, that of Thomas, the Marquess of Philmore.
Thomas is a gentlemen with whom she argues constantly, and who hadn't even offered for her. She approaches the list with practicality, giving her suitors her own list of 5 rules, by which she measures and disposes of almost every name, until Lord Philmore suggests that there is more to marriage than her 5 rules.
I enjoyed this novella for the most part. The writing was lively and witty, and didn't suffer from editing issues. However, this novella reminded me of why I do not like novellas in general-–when you reach the pinnacle of the romantic relationship and the "I love you's" are said, there is no substance, no history, and no depth to support the declaration. Thus, the declarations of love are not credible. If this were a full-length novel that included two hundred pages detailing the history of Lady Penelope and Lord Philmore's lives and interactions, I might be convinced, but after sixteen pages, I am incredulous.
By giving FIVE GOLDEN SUITORS four stars, I am engaging in self-deception, imagining it as a slice of the pie, and suggesting that if it were a full-length novel, written in the same vein as this tiny piece, then it would be a fabulous novel that I would highly recommend.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=8354.
In FIVE GOLDEN SUITORS, Lady Penelope Waveland deals with her father's edict that she must choose a husband by midnight on Christmas Eve "or else." He provides her with five names of gentlemen who are suitable matches and all of whom are madly in love with her. She is appalled by most of the names on the list, even more so when she sees the fifth name, that of Thomas, the Marquess of Philmore.
Thomas is a gentlemen with whom she argues constantly, and who hadn't even offered for her. She approaches the list with practicality, giving her suitors her own list of 5 rules, by which she measures and disposes of almost every name, until Lord Philmore suggests that there is more to marriage than her 5 rules.
I enjoyed this novella for the most part. The writing was lively and witty, and didn't suffer from editing issues. However, this novella reminded me of why I do not like novellas in general-–when you reach the pinnacle of the romantic relationship and the "I love you's" are said, there is no substance, no history, and no depth to support the declaration. Thus, the declarations of love are not credible. If this were a full-length novel that included two hundred pages detailing the history of Lady Penelope and Lord Philmore's lives and interactions, I might be convinced, but after sixteen pages, I am incredulous.
By giving FIVE GOLDEN SUITORS four stars, I am engaging in self-deception, imagining it as a slice of the pie, and suggesting that if it were a full-length novel, written in the same vein as this tiny piece, then it would be a fabulous novel that I would highly recommend.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=8354.
Only You by Lorna Peel - 5 stars
ONLY YOU by Lorna Peel is a fabulous romance about trust in relationships under a microscope. In this case, under the ever-hungry, watchful eyes of the paparazzi. The novel encourages a "don't believe everything that you read" philosophy, which is especially important in this age of the Internet. I give it five stars.
Jane Hollinger is a former genealogist-cum-community college professor in London who is still attempting to gain her bearings after a bitter divorce a couple of years prior. Her genealogy course is attended by a bizarre/creepy-looking bloke named Mitch, but the truth is that he is a famous actor, Robert Armstrong, who has been researching an upcoming role while finishing the filming of another. Robert has uncovered a bit of a mystery in his own life and seeks assistance from Jane to resolve it. Through their work together, they build a friendship and share deeply personal information. They also have to deal with the attraction, for which Jane is not quite ready.
Between Robert's ill-advised publicity tactics and the stories printed by the paparazzi, including one paparazzo who impersonated a student to get info about Jane, Jane decides that she cannot handle a relationship in the spotlight. Robert, who is heading off to Ireland on another assignment, begs Jane to give him and their relationship another chance, but she decides against it. Robert falls into a downward spiral of PR nightmarish proportions, and Jane has to decide whether to risk being hurt again by intervening.
I really loved this novel. The length and pace were perfect, and the themes apropos for modern relationships. While so many people have trust issues, not many have to deal with those issues under a microscope. This couple has some serious challenges, and I felt like the novel was so well illustrated on the trust issue. I love that Jane finds her feet and breaks up with Robert before he goes to Ireland. It is such an important move for her and shows amazing personal growth.
I also love how vulnerable Robert is with Jane and how he fights for their relationship. Best of all, none of the character development is plagued with stereotypical, melodramatic fluff that so often ruins a great novel.
I loved how emotional the novel was. I laughed and I even cried a bit. And I especially loved the window into British culture--the language used, the scene descriptions, the industry illustrations. All were fantastic.
Overall, this was a fabulous novel. Put it on your reading list. It will not disappoint.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10706.
Jane Hollinger is a former genealogist-cum-community college professor in London who is still attempting to gain her bearings after a bitter divorce a couple of years prior. Her genealogy course is attended by a bizarre/creepy-looking bloke named Mitch, but the truth is that he is a famous actor, Robert Armstrong, who has been researching an upcoming role while finishing the filming of another. Robert has uncovered a bit of a mystery in his own life and seeks assistance from Jane to resolve it. Through their work together, they build a friendship and share deeply personal information. They also have to deal with the attraction, for which Jane is not quite ready.
Between Robert's ill-advised publicity tactics and the stories printed by the paparazzi, including one paparazzo who impersonated a student to get info about Jane, Jane decides that she cannot handle a relationship in the spotlight. Robert, who is heading off to Ireland on another assignment, begs Jane to give him and their relationship another chance, but she decides against it. Robert falls into a downward spiral of PR nightmarish proportions, and Jane has to decide whether to risk being hurt again by intervening.
I really loved this novel. The length and pace were perfect, and the themes apropos for modern relationships. While so many people have trust issues, not many have to deal with those issues under a microscope. This couple has some serious challenges, and I felt like the novel was so well illustrated on the trust issue. I love that Jane finds her feet and breaks up with Robert before he goes to Ireland. It is such an important move for her and shows amazing personal growth.
I also love how vulnerable Robert is with Jane and how he fights for their relationship. Best of all, none of the character development is plagued with stereotypical, melodramatic fluff that so often ruins a great novel.
I loved how emotional the novel was. I laughed and I even cried a bit. And I especially loved the window into British culture--the language used, the scene descriptions, the industry illustrations. All were fantastic.
Overall, this was a fabulous novel. Put it on your reading list. It will not disappoint.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10706.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Becoming Mr. Brooking (Mad Hatterlys #2) by Marguerite Butler - 3 stars
BECOMING MR. BROOKING by Marguerite Butler is a hilarious romance, along the lines of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, that champions the virtue of being yourself, regardless of what identity you use. I give it 3 stars because although I laughed a great deal, the story is marred by editing issues.
Graham Hatterly, one of the younger "Mad" Hatterlys, seeks to distinguish himself in society. He hasn't the business acumen of his oldest two brothers or the scientific intelligence of his older twin, but he knows a good thing when he sees it. Along with his peers in the Second Fiddle club, Graham chooses a scientific expedition to fund, that of botanist Sir Horace Tolliver to Africa. Unfortunately, Graham's secretary, who was supposed to vet the botanist's expedition plans in person, fell ill. So Graham adopts his identity for a week in the country in order to perform his due diligence.
Miss Edwina Tolliver, spinster sister of Sir Horace, has been managing her older brother for years, and she is tired of being taken for granted. She wants a home of her own and a marriage to a man who has enough money to employ a full staff, even if she has to wait three years for a proposal from a gentleman who talks incessantly about sheep and hoof rot. Lucky for her, Mr. Brooking (aka Graham) is entranced by her intelligence and provides excellent companionship in her beloved hothouses as she works with her plants or in the garden as she sketches the local flora. Problems arise, however, when Graham's friends from London are also trapped by the weather in the same town.
I enjoyed BECOMING MR. BROOKING. The first sixty or so pages felt a bit slow, but are necessary for the plot. Once all the guests for Edwina's dinner party arrive, hilarity ensues. I love Mumford's character and how Edwina responds to him, as well as Graham's suffering through Mrs. Willoughby's recitation of her son's ailments. It is almost a perfect example of what *not* to talk about at dinner, a classic scenario.
The romance is well illustrated. Even though it takes place over three weeks, the substance is there--the hours spent together being productive in the hothouses, the gradual building of admiration and attraction--so that the "I love you's" are absolutely believable. It doesn't feel as if these two people just met; rather it feels as if these two people have become irreplaceable in each other's lives. The romance is also tastefully done, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5 on the heat scale, appropriate for readers 16 and older.
The dialogue is smart, and even though there is some melodramatic rumination over perceived shortcomings, the story moves along at a realistic pace. The only disappointment for me was with the editing. There was the occasional obvious typo and sometimes the sentence and paragraph structure were awkward. At one point, instead of Edwina being referred to by her name, she is called Eugenia. These issues distracted and confused me at times so that I had to re-read the word/sentence/paragraph again to ensure that I understood it.
Overall, BECOMING MR. BROOKING is a great read, but it would be an excellent read after another round of editing. Look for a revised version, but certainly put it on your list for reading during the rainy season so that you can really become submerged in the storyline.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10713.
Graham Hatterly, one of the younger "Mad" Hatterlys, seeks to distinguish himself in society. He hasn't the business acumen of his oldest two brothers or the scientific intelligence of his older twin, but he knows a good thing when he sees it. Along with his peers in the Second Fiddle club, Graham chooses a scientific expedition to fund, that of botanist Sir Horace Tolliver to Africa. Unfortunately, Graham's secretary, who was supposed to vet the botanist's expedition plans in person, fell ill. So Graham adopts his identity for a week in the country in order to perform his due diligence.
Miss Edwina Tolliver, spinster sister of Sir Horace, has been managing her older brother for years, and she is tired of being taken for granted. She wants a home of her own and a marriage to a man who has enough money to employ a full staff, even if she has to wait three years for a proposal from a gentleman who talks incessantly about sheep and hoof rot. Lucky for her, Mr. Brooking (aka Graham) is entranced by her intelligence and provides excellent companionship in her beloved hothouses as she works with her plants or in the garden as she sketches the local flora. Problems arise, however, when Graham's friends from London are also trapped by the weather in the same town.
I enjoyed BECOMING MR. BROOKING. The first sixty or so pages felt a bit slow, but are necessary for the plot. Once all the guests for Edwina's dinner party arrive, hilarity ensues. I love Mumford's character and how Edwina responds to him, as well as Graham's suffering through Mrs. Willoughby's recitation of her son's ailments. It is almost a perfect example of what *not* to talk about at dinner, a classic scenario.
The romance is well illustrated. Even though it takes place over three weeks, the substance is there--the hours spent together being productive in the hothouses, the gradual building of admiration and attraction--so that the "I love you's" are absolutely believable. It doesn't feel as if these two people just met; rather it feels as if these two people have become irreplaceable in each other's lives. The romance is also tastefully done, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5 on the heat scale, appropriate for readers 16 and older.
The dialogue is smart, and even though there is some melodramatic rumination over perceived shortcomings, the story moves along at a realistic pace. The only disappointment for me was with the editing. There was the occasional obvious typo and sometimes the sentence and paragraph structure were awkward. At one point, instead of Edwina being referred to by her name, she is called Eugenia. These issues distracted and confused me at times so that I had to re-read the word/sentence/paragraph again to ensure that I understood it.
Overall, BECOMING MR. BROOKING is a great read, but it would be an excellent read after another round of editing. Look for a revised version, but certainly put it on your list for reading during the rainy season so that you can really become submerged in the storyline.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10713.
Ambersley by Amy Atwell - 4 stars
AMBERSLEY by Amy Atwell is a regency romance with the flavor of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, and champions the virtue of honesty in all relationships. I give it four stars, even though I struggled with a few credibility issues.
In AMBERSLEY, Amber Johanna Vaughan, the four year-old daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ambersley, disappears after a suspicious fire kills her entire family and destroys her home. She is not actually lost, though. She was found some distance away from the house by head gardener Thomas, who, fearing for her life, takes her home. As Amber has no memory of who she is or what happened to her family, Tom and his wife, Martha, raise Amber as their adopted son, Johnny. As soon as Johnny is old enough to work with Tom, she tends her mother's rose garden and becomes a beloved part of the Ambersley staff, who all believe she is a boy.
The search for the new Duke of Ambersley takes a long time and finally concludes in locating Derek Vaughan, who has also recently inherited a barony. He, his stepmother and stepbrother all move to the Ambersley estate, and Derek's stepmother does her best to undermine his claim to the title, attempting to coerce Derek to give the title to his half-brother on the grounds that Derek is illegitimate and not the true heir to either the barony or dukedom. While keeping his vulture of a stepmother at bay, Derek works to rebuild the estate, thereby befriending Johnny, who is eager to help him in any way she can.
The truth will out, though, and after thirteen years, through a bizarre series of events, it becomes known that Johnny is really Amber Johanna Vaughan. Derek is crushed, feeling betrayed by the one person he thought he could count on to be honest with him. Amber is also feeling betrayed by her closest friend; meanwhile, she must be re-invented and take her rightful place in society. Danger still lurks at Ambersley, though, and history begins to repeat itself. Will Amber discover the truth behind the attempts on Derek's life in time to save him and their relationship?
I enjoyed this complicated novel with its apparent myriad of subplots, even though in order to do so I had to accept the fact that Amber was able to hide her femininity from the ENTIRE staff as well as Derek and his family. That was a bit of a stretch for me. I also had to overlook the glaring error of how Amber is titled in the novel -- as "Miss" Amber. As the daughter of a duke, she would have been referred to as "Lady" Amber, even from infancy. Once I stopped trying to figure out the technical details of how Amber remained disguised as a boy and stopped reading the word "Miss" before her name, I was able to enjoy the plotline.
This most important character development in the book is how Derek begins to think of Johnny as Lady Johanna. This part was very well done; there were no cut corners or sacrifices of pages. Essentially, Johanna had to cut Derek out of her life and then be introduced later on. Of note is the particularly emotional scene where Johanna begs Derek to let her return to Ambersley. She says that she misses Johnny and would happily return to Ambersley as Johnny forevermore, and Derek says, "I miss him, too." But life goes on, and they both have to come to grips with their new reality.
The romance is hot, even though relatively short in comparison to the length of the book. Still, the book is appropriate for those 18 and over.
The plotline has so many delicious little subplots, too. I liked the mystery behind the assaults on the Duke of Ambersley, the role of Derek's "frenemy", the Marquess of Worthing, and the growth of the half-brother, Curtis.
Overall, AMBERSLEY was intricate, well-crafted, and will keep any historical fiction lover entertained.
**Review shared with The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=5874.
In AMBERSLEY, Amber Johanna Vaughan, the four year-old daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ambersley, disappears after a suspicious fire kills her entire family and destroys her home. She is not actually lost, though. She was found some distance away from the house by head gardener Thomas, who, fearing for her life, takes her home. As Amber has no memory of who she is or what happened to her family, Tom and his wife, Martha, raise Amber as their adopted son, Johnny. As soon as Johnny is old enough to work with Tom, she tends her mother's rose garden and becomes a beloved part of the Ambersley staff, who all believe she is a boy.
The search for the new Duke of Ambersley takes a long time and finally concludes in locating Derek Vaughan, who has also recently inherited a barony. He, his stepmother and stepbrother all move to the Ambersley estate, and Derek's stepmother does her best to undermine his claim to the title, attempting to coerce Derek to give the title to his half-brother on the grounds that Derek is illegitimate and not the true heir to either the barony or dukedom. While keeping his vulture of a stepmother at bay, Derek works to rebuild the estate, thereby befriending Johnny, who is eager to help him in any way she can.
The truth will out, though, and after thirteen years, through a bizarre series of events, it becomes known that Johnny is really Amber Johanna Vaughan. Derek is crushed, feeling betrayed by the one person he thought he could count on to be honest with him. Amber is also feeling betrayed by her closest friend; meanwhile, she must be re-invented and take her rightful place in society. Danger still lurks at Ambersley, though, and history begins to repeat itself. Will Amber discover the truth behind the attempts on Derek's life in time to save him and their relationship?
I enjoyed this complicated novel with its apparent myriad of subplots, even though in order to do so I had to accept the fact that Amber was able to hide her femininity from the ENTIRE staff as well as Derek and his family. That was a bit of a stretch for me. I also had to overlook the glaring error of how Amber is titled in the novel -- as "Miss" Amber. As the daughter of a duke, she would have been referred to as "Lady" Amber, even from infancy. Once I stopped trying to figure out the technical details of how Amber remained disguised as a boy and stopped reading the word "Miss" before her name, I was able to enjoy the plotline.
This most important character development in the book is how Derek begins to think of Johnny as Lady Johanna. This part was very well done; there were no cut corners or sacrifices of pages. Essentially, Johanna had to cut Derek out of her life and then be introduced later on. Of note is the particularly emotional scene where Johanna begs Derek to let her return to Ambersley. She says that she misses Johnny and would happily return to Ambersley as Johnny forevermore, and Derek says, "I miss him, too." But life goes on, and they both have to come to grips with their new reality.
The romance is hot, even though relatively short in comparison to the length of the book. Still, the book is appropriate for those 18 and over.
The plotline has so many delicious little subplots, too. I liked the mystery behind the assaults on the Duke of Ambersley, the role of Derek's "frenemy", the Marquess of Worthing, and the growth of the half-brother, Curtis.
Overall, AMBERSLEY was intricate, well-crafted, and will keep any historical fiction lover entertained.
**Review shared with The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=5874.
A Gamble on Love by Blair Bancroft - 3 stars
A GAMBLE ON LOVE by Blair Bancroft is a sweet and sour regency romance about being careful what you wish for. For me, most of the story was sour, and I give it three stars, wishing the novel had not fallen into the quagmire of clichéd romance novel melodrama.
In A GAMBLE ON LOVE, Miss Aurelia Trevor is stymied in her efforts to improve, or even maintain, her childhood home and estate by a poorly drafted and asinine guardianship clause in her father's will. While Relia inherits Pevensey Park, her uncle and guardian, greedy Lord Hubert, holds the purse strings until Relia turns twenty-five years old. Until that time, Relia also has to suffer the inappropriate attentions – indeed, even outrageous presumptions – of her cousin Twyford. Relia determines that before her uncle runs her beloved Pevensey into ruin, she must find and marry a man who will be authoritative enough to thwart her uncle's control, but also wealthy and forward minded enough to allow her to run Pevensey as she will.
After rejecting every man on her "potential" list, Relia is at the mercy of Thomas Lanning, a Cit who, after nerve-wracking deliberation, ultimately agrees to marry her because it will benefit his political aspirations. Unfortunately, Relia has undertaken a larger challenge than she imagined, for Thomas is determined to fulfill his role as dragonslayer, knight errant and landowner to the tittle, thus stepping on Relia's supremely big toes. These two must work out the kinks in their marriage quickly so that Thomas has a chance to gain his end of the bargain, the county's seat in the House of Commons. But will the marriage survive the election?
I was predisposed to like A GAMBLE ON LOVE, given its historical setting. There were plenty of political issues in 19th Century England, and the election process is one that can be easily overlooked, as electoral procedure isn't really a sexy issue. Additionally, Aurelia faces the remarkable dichotomy of inheriting property but not the funds to manage it due to a poorly drafted will. These issues intrigued me, but I found Relia's immaturity, emotional outbursts, and passive-aggressive behavior so irritating that I had trouble finishing the book. A certain amount of frustration and adjustment would be expected in such a situation, but Relia takes it to an absurd extreme. To be fair, Thomas isn't very communicative, either, and when he does communicate, it is mostly in an autocratic manner as opposed to a conversation with his wife. He also fails to mention some important details about himself, which causes unnecessary angst in the household.
The development of the romantic relationship proceeds realistically in time and context. The characters finally learn to talk to each other. Unfortunately, though, the romance becomes ridiculous when Aurelia decides that she loves her husband, indeed has loved him since the first time she saw him. At that point, the book was ruined for me. Realistic marriages require effort to succeed. This kind of love-at-first-sight scenario is so implausible as to negate not only the facts of their initial meeting, but also the determined efforts the characters had made toward unity in their marriage.
If you don't care whether the romance is realistic -- and I'm sure plenty of those readers exist - then you will probably enjoy this novel. But if like me, you need realism to stay submerged in the storyline, then this is not the book for you.
**Review shared with The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=11059.
In A GAMBLE ON LOVE, Miss Aurelia Trevor is stymied in her efforts to improve, or even maintain, her childhood home and estate by a poorly drafted and asinine guardianship clause in her father's will. While Relia inherits Pevensey Park, her uncle and guardian, greedy Lord Hubert, holds the purse strings until Relia turns twenty-five years old. Until that time, Relia also has to suffer the inappropriate attentions – indeed, even outrageous presumptions – of her cousin Twyford. Relia determines that before her uncle runs her beloved Pevensey into ruin, she must find and marry a man who will be authoritative enough to thwart her uncle's control, but also wealthy and forward minded enough to allow her to run Pevensey as she will.
After rejecting every man on her "potential" list, Relia is at the mercy of Thomas Lanning, a Cit who, after nerve-wracking deliberation, ultimately agrees to marry her because it will benefit his political aspirations. Unfortunately, Relia has undertaken a larger challenge than she imagined, for Thomas is determined to fulfill his role as dragonslayer, knight errant and landowner to the tittle, thus stepping on Relia's supremely big toes. These two must work out the kinks in their marriage quickly so that Thomas has a chance to gain his end of the bargain, the county's seat in the House of Commons. But will the marriage survive the election?
I was predisposed to like A GAMBLE ON LOVE, given its historical setting. There were plenty of political issues in 19th Century England, and the election process is one that can be easily overlooked, as electoral procedure isn't really a sexy issue. Additionally, Aurelia faces the remarkable dichotomy of inheriting property but not the funds to manage it due to a poorly drafted will. These issues intrigued me, but I found Relia's immaturity, emotional outbursts, and passive-aggressive behavior so irritating that I had trouble finishing the book. A certain amount of frustration and adjustment would be expected in such a situation, but Relia takes it to an absurd extreme. To be fair, Thomas isn't very communicative, either, and when he does communicate, it is mostly in an autocratic manner as opposed to a conversation with his wife. He also fails to mention some important details about himself, which causes unnecessary angst in the household.
The development of the romantic relationship proceeds realistically in time and context. The characters finally learn to talk to each other. Unfortunately, though, the romance becomes ridiculous when Aurelia decides that she loves her husband, indeed has loved him since the first time she saw him. At that point, the book was ruined for me. Realistic marriages require effort to succeed. This kind of love-at-first-sight scenario is so implausible as to negate not only the facts of their initial meeting, but also the determined efforts the characters had made toward unity in their marriage.
If you don't care whether the romance is realistic -- and I'm sure plenty of those readers exist - then you will probably enjoy this novel. But if like me, you need realism to stay submerged in the storyline, then this is not the book for you.
**Review shared with The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=11059.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Between by Clarissa Johal - 3 stars
BETWEEN by Clarissa Johal is a dark novel about moving on, whether moving past grief for a lost love or moving on to the next spiritual plane. It isn't a light read, but you probably won't need a box of tissues. I give it three stars, wishing that I had been given more information about what was going on earlier in the book.
In BETWEEN, Lucinda Bell is a veterinarian in some unnamed small town on the United States' west coast who is determined to save lives. She has a difficult history with relationships, having buried a fiancé the previous year and become estranged from her family, and not much has changed in her time spent in the small town. She doesn't date and has only one friend, Marny. Another difficulty Lucinda faces is that she sees the spirits of dead people and animals, most of whom she knew while they were alive. Lucinda meets two strangers who allegedly are new in town, but she gets weird vibes from them. Add in some bizarre dreams and visions, and Lucinda is primed for a meltdown.
Lucas and Cronan, the new strangers in town, have been with Lucinda for some time. Lucas is her Guardian Spirit, and Cronan is her Death Spirit. Neither should be visible to Lucinda, but the reader understands early on that they are breaking the rules. It is unclear what the consequences are of their rule-breaking, but all of them are trying to move on with their "lives".
I was intrigued by the spiritual concepts explored in BETWEEN, but like Lucinda, the reader is kept in the dark about what is going on for approximately one hundred pages. That delay caused those one hundred pages to drag painfully, like jet lag. The novel felt aimless in the worst way. I could have used more information up front about Lucas and Cronan, about what was behind all the moved objects, accidents, sleepwalking and random meetings.
Contributing to the slow pace was the dialogue between Lucinda and her two Spirits. Lucinda's inability to ask a question and wait for the answer was confusing. She accepted her Spirits' one word or evasive answers for too long, and she didn't require answers from them before hanging out with them. It was confusing, like these actions didn't fit her character as illustrated elsewhere in the novel.
After those first one hundred pages, the pace picks up, and Lucinda (and the reader) gets some answers. For me, though, it was too little, too late to enjoy the book. On the positive side, the character development is well done at that point. Several characters turn corners and are empowered to move on. As for the romance, Lucinda's interactions with Michael are also appropriate for her situation, and consequently are sweet and appropriate for readers of all ages.
Overall, BETWEEN is an interesting read for those who are spiritually minded or curious, and possibly even those who enjoy paranormal fiction. However, this plotline leans more towards life journeys than two people falling in love. So if you require the main plotline of your chosen novels to be the romantic aspect, this novel is probably not for you.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10604
In BETWEEN, Lucinda Bell is a veterinarian in some unnamed small town on the United States' west coast who is determined to save lives. She has a difficult history with relationships, having buried a fiancé the previous year and become estranged from her family, and not much has changed in her time spent in the small town. She doesn't date and has only one friend, Marny. Another difficulty Lucinda faces is that she sees the spirits of dead people and animals, most of whom she knew while they were alive. Lucinda meets two strangers who allegedly are new in town, but she gets weird vibes from them. Add in some bizarre dreams and visions, and Lucinda is primed for a meltdown.
Lucas and Cronan, the new strangers in town, have been with Lucinda for some time. Lucas is her Guardian Spirit, and Cronan is her Death Spirit. Neither should be visible to Lucinda, but the reader understands early on that they are breaking the rules. It is unclear what the consequences are of their rule-breaking, but all of them are trying to move on with their "lives".
I was intrigued by the spiritual concepts explored in BETWEEN, but like Lucinda, the reader is kept in the dark about what is going on for approximately one hundred pages. That delay caused those one hundred pages to drag painfully, like jet lag. The novel felt aimless in the worst way. I could have used more information up front about Lucas and Cronan, about what was behind all the moved objects, accidents, sleepwalking and random meetings.
Contributing to the slow pace was the dialogue between Lucinda and her two Spirits. Lucinda's inability to ask a question and wait for the answer was confusing. She accepted her Spirits' one word or evasive answers for too long, and she didn't require answers from them before hanging out with them. It was confusing, like these actions didn't fit her character as illustrated elsewhere in the novel.
After those first one hundred pages, the pace picks up, and Lucinda (and the reader) gets some answers. For me, though, it was too little, too late to enjoy the book. On the positive side, the character development is well done at that point. Several characters turn corners and are empowered to move on. As for the romance, Lucinda's interactions with Michael are also appropriate for her situation, and consequently are sweet and appropriate for readers of all ages.
Overall, BETWEEN is an interesting read for those who are spiritually minded or curious, and possibly even those who enjoy paranormal fiction. However, this plotline leans more towards life journeys than two people falling in love. So if you require the main plotline of your chosen novels to be the romantic aspect, this novel is probably not for you.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10604
Favored Dragon's Release (Hidden By Dragons #1) by D. Renee Bagby - 2 stars
FAVORED DRAGON'S RELEASE by D. Reneé Bagby is an occasionally humorous fantasy combining time travel and parallel dimensions that really could use a different title and some extra revisions. I give it 2 stars.
In FAVORED DRAGON'S RELEASE, Yolette and some "frenemies" go on a couple's camping trip. Yolette's date for the trip flakes out at the last minute, and in an attempt to get away from the obnoxious enamored couples, Yolette falls asleep alone in a clearing and wakes up in another dimension, farther back in time when dragons still roamed the Earth.
Yolette meets Shurik, a black dragon and prince of the realm, who is fated to break a curse on the dragon community by mating a willing human female. What starts out as curiosity on Shurik's part ends up with him falling in love with Yolette and vice versa. However, deceit can destroy any relationship, and this relationship is no different. Will Shurik and Yolette actually mate? Will the curse be broken?
FAVORED DRAGON'S RELEASE showed promise at the beginning; the idea was fresh and interesting, and there were no pesky typos to distract the reader. Occasionally, though, the sentence, paragraph and chapter structuring were a bit awkward. The pace was also slow in the beginning, and at times the plotline felt a bit aimless. A more streamlined courtship portion of the novel would address the meandering feeling of the "getting to know you" part of the love story.
While I thought Yolette's character was consistent and well-illustrated, she fell victim to the typical melodrama that plagues romance novels, but at least that melodrama fits with her self-deprecating personality. I felt that Shurik's character was a bit thin and could have used greater illustration, especially when dealing with the reasons Yolette falls for Shurik instead of another dragon she spends time with.
About half way through the novel, the pace improves, and the plotline gains direction. However, the plot transforms from simple to complicated, introducing new characters and unexpected drama in the last 50 pages. Moderation at this point, focusing on the final resolution of Shurik and Yolette's relationship, would have served the storyline better.
Overall, I was intrigued by the concepts behind the plot, but was disappointed in the way the story unfolded. If you are a fan of fantasy novels, you probably won't want to miss this one, but look for a revised version, if available.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10213
In FAVORED DRAGON'S RELEASE, Yolette and some "frenemies" go on a couple's camping trip. Yolette's date for the trip flakes out at the last minute, and in an attempt to get away from the obnoxious enamored couples, Yolette falls asleep alone in a clearing and wakes up in another dimension, farther back in time when dragons still roamed the Earth.
Yolette meets Shurik, a black dragon and prince of the realm, who is fated to break a curse on the dragon community by mating a willing human female. What starts out as curiosity on Shurik's part ends up with him falling in love with Yolette and vice versa. However, deceit can destroy any relationship, and this relationship is no different. Will Shurik and Yolette actually mate? Will the curse be broken?
FAVORED DRAGON'S RELEASE showed promise at the beginning; the idea was fresh and interesting, and there were no pesky typos to distract the reader. Occasionally, though, the sentence, paragraph and chapter structuring were a bit awkward. The pace was also slow in the beginning, and at times the plotline felt a bit aimless. A more streamlined courtship portion of the novel would address the meandering feeling of the "getting to know you" part of the love story.
While I thought Yolette's character was consistent and well-illustrated, she fell victim to the typical melodrama that plagues romance novels, but at least that melodrama fits with her self-deprecating personality. I felt that Shurik's character was a bit thin and could have used greater illustration, especially when dealing with the reasons Yolette falls for Shurik instead of another dragon she spends time with.
About half way through the novel, the pace improves, and the plotline gains direction. However, the plot transforms from simple to complicated, introducing new characters and unexpected drama in the last 50 pages. Moderation at this point, focusing on the final resolution of Shurik and Yolette's relationship, would have served the storyline better.
Overall, I was intrigued by the concepts behind the plot, but was disappointed in the way the story unfolded. If you are a fan of fantasy novels, you probably won't want to miss this one, but look for a revised version, if available.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10213
On The Scent (The Psychic Detectives #1) by Angela Campbell - 4 stars
ON THE SCENT by Angela Campbell is a funny, paranormal, crime-drama romance novel that clearly has a little something for everyone. Especially if you are even remotely an animal lover, this lighthearted action read will keep you entertained for a few days, or one day if you have nothing else to do. I laughed; I cried; it was better than Cats. I give ON THE SCENT four stars, even though the novel could use another round of editing.
In ON THE SCENT, in-home health nurse and animal lover Hannah Dawson inherits $10 million from her elderly client with the instructions to use the money to take care of her beloved animals--Abbott the cat and Costello the dog. Hannah immediately becomes the target of someone who really wants Ellie's animals and the money that goes with them. Hannah is directed by Ellie's instructions to hire private investigator and alleged psychic Zach Collins to uncover some secret from Ellie's past. Unbeknownst to Hannah, Zach's firm is already familiar with Hannah's past, having performed some work for Ellie, which resulted in Hannah literally being left at the altar.
Through his work for Hannah, Zach discovers some new things about himself and develops feelings for Hannah that threaten to harm their professional relationship. Can Zach stay both close enough to, and far enough away, from Hannah to protect her until they can determine who is trying to get their hands on Ellie's money?
I really enjoyed ON THE SCENT. The conversations with the animals alone make this novel fantastic and make me think of the Get Fuzzy comic strip. Hilarious, especially Abbott's repeated commands to Zach to "Get out" and to "Get over [himself]."
The action scenes are also well illustrated, especially the first person narration when you can feel yourself losing consciousness (in a good way). The pace and length of the novel are perfect--no dragging or sudden shifts in speed, and no sudden ending to make the reader feel cheated somehow.
The development of the romantic relationship in the novel is typical of modern relationships, focusing initially on the attraction between the two characters and then moving into the friendship aspect, but still the "I love you's" seem premature. Saving the "I love you's" until the epilogue would have seemed more realistic for me, but otherwise, the romance was credible. The romance was also hot, rating a 3 out of 5 on the heat level and making ON THE SCENT appropriate for readers 18 and older.
On the down side, several glaring issues make this novel a prime candidate for another round of editing by a fresh pair of eyes. These issues didn't cause any confusion, though, so this was only a minor disappointment.
On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed ON THE SCENT, and highly recommend it for all lovers of contemporary romance and animal fiction.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10306
In ON THE SCENT, in-home health nurse and animal lover Hannah Dawson inherits $10 million from her elderly client with the instructions to use the money to take care of her beloved animals--Abbott the cat and Costello the dog. Hannah immediately becomes the target of someone who really wants Ellie's animals and the money that goes with them. Hannah is directed by Ellie's instructions to hire private investigator and alleged psychic Zach Collins to uncover some secret from Ellie's past. Unbeknownst to Hannah, Zach's firm is already familiar with Hannah's past, having performed some work for Ellie, which resulted in Hannah literally being left at the altar.
Through his work for Hannah, Zach discovers some new things about himself and develops feelings for Hannah that threaten to harm their professional relationship. Can Zach stay both close enough to, and far enough away, from Hannah to protect her until they can determine who is trying to get their hands on Ellie's money?
I really enjoyed ON THE SCENT. The conversations with the animals alone make this novel fantastic and make me think of the Get Fuzzy comic strip. Hilarious, especially Abbott's repeated commands to Zach to "Get out" and to "Get over [himself]."
The action scenes are also well illustrated, especially the first person narration when you can feel yourself losing consciousness (in a good way). The pace and length of the novel are perfect--no dragging or sudden shifts in speed, and no sudden ending to make the reader feel cheated somehow.
The development of the romantic relationship in the novel is typical of modern relationships, focusing initially on the attraction between the two characters and then moving into the friendship aspect, but still the "I love you's" seem premature. Saving the "I love you's" until the epilogue would have seemed more realistic for me, but otherwise, the romance was credible. The romance was also hot, rating a 3 out of 5 on the heat level and making ON THE SCENT appropriate for readers 18 and older.
On the down side, several glaring issues make this novel a prime candidate for another round of editing by a fresh pair of eyes. These issues didn't cause any confusion, though, so this was only a minor disappointment.
On the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed ON THE SCENT, and highly recommend it for all lovers of contemporary romance and animal fiction.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10306
Anybody But Him by Claire Baxter - 4 stars
ANYBODY BUT HIM by Claire Baxter is a short, sweet, and comforting contemporary romance about not judging a book by its cover, or in this case, its high school history. I give it four stars for its humor, realism, and relatability.
In ANYBODY BUT HIM, Nicola Doyle returns to her hometown after several years living in Sydney, Australia, in order to "take her turn" in supervising her aging parents, switching places (and houses) with her sister Una for the summer. Nicola immediately runs into her high school crush, the ever-so cool and gorgeous Blair Morrissey. Only now, Blair is much more gentlemanly and interested in "Nicki". Nicola battles her supreme irritation with Blair while she settles into a new, albeit temporary, job, looks in on her parents, reconnects with her best friend, and navigates the local dating scene.
As the summer goes on, Blair becomes something more than an annoyance, and for a while, Nicola isn't sure what, exactly. A slip and fall at home causes Nicola to reach out for help, and Nicola's perspective begins to change.
I really enjoyed ANYBODY BUT HIM. It was funny and sad, but completely realistic. Most often it is a high school reunion that throws former crushes back together. Here, it is the health and well-being of aging parents that brings Nicola and Blair face to face with each other and with the painful truths about their high school histories.
I loved how the characters' relationship changes incrementally. Yes, the "I love you's" at the end seemed a bit hasty, but that is most likely due to the length of the novella, rather than the length of their acquaintance in the book. The romantic relationship was slow and based on multiple interactions, not just one or two incidents, and the heat level is sweet (1 out of 5). Aside from the mature themes mentioned above and the name of Blair's dog, this book is appropriate for all ages.
The pacing and length of the novella provide readers with a break after work for a few days, or a relaxing Saturday, if you have nothing else planned. Readers should take note that there are many phrases and words which are taken from UK or Aussie English, which provides the novella with an authentic feel (set in Australia, sounds like Australia) and the added bonus of expanding the reader's cultural knowledge.
I highly recommend ANYBODY BUT HIM for any reader's enjoyment.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10216
In ANYBODY BUT HIM, Nicola Doyle returns to her hometown after several years living in Sydney, Australia, in order to "take her turn" in supervising her aging parents, switching places (and houses) with her sister Una for the summer. Nicola immediately runs into her high school crush, the ever-so cool and gorgeous Blair Morrissey. Only now, Blair is much more gentlemanly and interested in "Nicki". Nicola battles her supreme irritation with Blair while she settles into a new, albeit temporary, job, looks in on her parents, reconnects with her best friend, and navigates the local dating scene.
As the summer goes on, Blair becomes something more than an annoyance, and for a while, Nicola isn't sure what, exactly. A slip and fall at home causes Nicola to reach out for help, and Nicola's perspective begins to change.
I really enjoyed ANYBODY BUT HIM. It was funny and sad, but completely realistic. Most often it is a high school reunion that throws former crushes back together. Here, it is the health and well-being of aging parents that brings Nicola and Blair face to face with each other and with the painful truths about their high school histories.
I loved how the characters' relationship changes incrementally. Yes, the "I love you's" at the end seemed a bit hasty, but that is most likely due to the length of the novella, rather than the length of their acquaintance in the book. The romantic relationship was slow and based on multiple interactions, not just one or two incidents, and the heat level is sweet (1 out of 5). Aside from the mature themes mentioned above and the name of Blair's dog, this book is appropriate for all ages.
The pacing and length of the novella provide readers with a break after work for a few days, or a relaxing Saturday, if you have nothing else planned. Readers should take note that there are many phrases and words which are taken from UK or Aussie English, which provides the novella with an authentic feel (set in Australia, sounds like Australia) and the added bonus of expanding the reader's cultural knowledge.
I highly recommend ANYBODY BUT HIM for any reader's enjoyment.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10216
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Lady Hartley's Inheritance by Wendy Soliman - 4 stars
LADY HARTLEY'S INHERITANCE by Wendy Soliman is a lively Regency romance with a bit of a twist. Deviating from the romance norm, Ms Soliman pens a novel with a life lesson for the Ladies. I give LADY HARTLEY'S INHERITANCE four stars.
For the past 15 months, Clarissa (Lady Hartley) has been struggling to keep her father's and late husband's wool business afloat. The will is still in probate and no funds have been released for the benefit of the estate. She travels to London in her state of near-poverty to meet the estate's solicitor, and lodges with her godmother, the dowager Lady Deverill.
Luc (Lord Deverill) is not looking forward to Lady Hartley's visit, to squiring around town a weepy woman in widow's weeds. However, Luc is pleasantly surprised by Clarissa, her contempt of all things tonnish (including a refusal to purchase a full wardrobe now that she is out of mourning), her "hands on" approach to running her business, and her inability to see how attractive she is.
Soon after her arrival in London, Clarissa is forced to accept help from Luc to deal with attempted fraud against her and the estate. Through their investigation, Luc and Clarissa grow close, and eventually several people become interested in the disposition of Lady Hartley's inheritance and whom she will marry.
For all of Clarissa's abilities – running two estates and a textile business – she is still woefully naïve when it comes to the ways of the world. Usually in regency romances, the male protagonist is the character to humble out and come to grips with the intelligent and opinionated woman with whom he is enamored. Here, Clarissa is the character who comes to grips with the reality that while she may be able to take care of herself, having a partner is infinitely better.
Initially, I did not like Lady Hartley. Clarissa is rash and so independent, she doesn't even bother talking to her godmother about her issues. It is enough to make readers pull their hair out. After her grand epiphany, she is much more reasonable and provides a fantastic life lesson - for the ladies this time: Yes, you can take care of yourself, but sometimes it's better to have a partner to share the load.
The development of the romance in the novel seems a bit typical of romance novels. I could have used more reasons for Luc's interest in Clarissa and vice versa. The romance in the novel is illustrated tastefully, though, earning a rating of 2 out of 5 on the heat scale, appropriate for those 16 years of age and over.
The pacing of the book is just right – not too fast, not too slow. Readers should also be aware that the author, Ms. Soliman, is British. So some words, phrases and spelling are British and may seem a bit odd to American readers.
I would have liked to have a bit more closure regarding the fates of Salik, Twining and Emily Stokes. The book isn't so long that a few more paragraphs wrapping up their storylines would impede the novel's pace, and I, for one, like to see the antagonists reap what they sow.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to all historical romance lovers.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10643
For the past 15 months, Clarissa (Lady Hartley) has been struggling to keep her father's and late husband's wool business afloat. The will is still in probate and no funds have been released for the benefit of the estate. She travels to London in her state of near-poverty to meet the estate's solicitor, and lodges with her godmother, the dowager Lady Deverill.
Luc (Lord Deverill) is not looking forward to Lady Hartley's visit, to squiring around town a weepy woman in widow's weeds. However, Luc is pleasantly surprised by Clarissa, her contempt of all things tonnish (including a refusal to purchase a full wardrobe now that she is out of mourning), her "hands on" approach to running her business, and her inability to see how attractive she is.
Soon after her arrival in London, Clarissa is forced to accept help from Luc to deal with attempted fraud against her and the estate. Through their investigation, Luc and Clarissa grow close, and eventually several people become interested in the disposition of Lady Hartley's inheritance and whom she will marry.
For all of Clarissa's abilities – running two estates and a textile business – she is still woefully naïve when it comes to the ways of the world. Usually in regency romances, the male protagonist is the character to humble out and come to grips with the intelligent and opinionated woman with whom he is enamored. Here, Clarissa is the character who comes to grips with the reality that while she may be able to take care of herself, having a partner is infinitely better.
Initially, I did not like Lady Hartley. Clarissa is rash and so independent, she doesn't even bother talking to her godmother about her issues. It is enough to make readers pull their hair out. After her grand epiphany, she is much more reasonable and provides a fantastic life lesson - for the ladies this time: Yes, you can take care of yourself, but sometimes it's better to have a partner to share the load.
The development of the romance in the novel seems a bit typical of romance novels. I could have used more reasons for Luc's interest in Clarissa and vice versa. The romance in the novel is illustrated tastefully, though, earning a rating of 2 out of 5 on the heat scale, appropriate for those 16 years of age and over.
The pacing of the book is just right – not too fast, not too slow. Readers should also be aware that the author, Ms. Soliman, is British. So some words, phrases and spelling are British and may seem a bit odd to American readers.
I would have liked to have a bit more closure regarding the fates of Salik, Twining and Emily Stokes. The book isn't so long that a few more paragraphs wrapping up their storylines would impede the novel's pace, and I, for one, like to see the antagonists reap what they sow.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to all historical romance lovers.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10643
Monday, September 2, 2013
The House on Serpent Lake by Brenda Hill - 3 stars
THE HOUSE ON SERPENT LAKE by Brenda Hill is a wonderfully creepy novel that any lover of paranormal fiction would like. I give it 3 stars and recommend it for your autumn/Halloween reading list.
Lindsay Petersen and her husband, Eric, have traveled to Crosby, Minnesota to look over a family property Eric inherited. The house, which is on Serpent Lake, is picturesque, but also a tad creepy. Lindsay gets mixed vibes from it; some parts of the house make her feel safe and warm, and others make her feel as if she is being watched.
As she investigates strange happenings in the house, she becomes convinced that the house is haunted by a man who wants her. The strange happenings threaten Lindsay and Eric's marriage, and in the end, the truth ends up being even more bizarre than originally thought.
THE HOUSE ON SERPENT LAKE was eerie and, at times, heart wrenching. The character development is well done, and so the characters' actions and motives are easily believable. I liked the reference to the Loch Ness Monster, and definitely wanted more of the mysterious lake creature.
The romance in the novel is a bit bizarre, and rates about a 3 out of 5 on the heat scale, appropriate for adults over 18 years of age.
The pace of the novel could have been a little quicker in the beginning and a bit slower in the end. It took me a few tries for the novel to catch me and hold my interest. I also would have liked the twist at the end pertaining to Lindsay herself to have been a bit more surprising. I was able to guess almost from the beginning what was going on, even if I couldn't guess how the book would end.
Overall, THE HOUSE ON SERPENT LAKE was a nice read, and I definitely would recommend it to any paranormal fiction lover and also to anyone for the Halloween season reading list.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10302.
Lindsay Petersen and her husband, Eric, have traveled to Crosby, Minnesota to look over a family property Eric inherited. The house, which is on Serpent Lake, is picturesque, but also a tad creepy. Lindsay gets mixed vibes from it; some parts of the house make her feel safe and warm, and others make her feel as if she is being watched.
As she investigates strange happenings in the house, she becomes convinced that the house is haunted by a man who wants her. The strange happenings threaten Lindsay and Eric's marriage, and in the end, the truth ends up being even more bizarre than originally thought.
THE HOUSE ON SERPENT LAKE was eerie and, at times, heart wrenching. The character development is well done, and so the characters' actions and motives are easily believable. I liked the reference to the Loch Ness Monster, and definitely wanted more of the mysterious lake creature.
The romance in the novel is a bit bizarre, and rates about a 3 out of 5 on the heat scale, appropriate for adults over 18 years of age.
The pace of the novel could have been a little quicker in the beginning and a bit slower in the end. It took me a few tries for the novel to catch me and hold my interest. I also would have liked the twist at the end pertaining to Lindsay herself to have been a bit more surprising. I was able to guess almost from the beginning what was going on, even if I couldn't guess how the book would end.
Overall, THE HOUSE ON SERPENT LAKE was a nice read, and I definitely would recommend it to any paranormal fiction lover and also to anyone for the Halloween season reading list.
*Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10302.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Vienna Waltz by Teresa Grant (Rannoch Series #1) - 5 stars
Vienna Waltz by Teresa Grant is a mesmerizing murder mystery set during the Congress of Vienna, and it will have you glued to your King Louis the XIV settee awaiting the revelation of “who dunnit.” I cannot say enough positive things about this novel. I would give it six out of five stars, if that were possible, but alas, I can only give it 5 stars.
In Vienna Waltz, many powerful men and women have descended upon Vienna in order to re-draw the European map after Napoleon’s abdication, but murder, gossip and intrigue are the most popular social activities. As part of the British delegation, Malcolm Rannoch is tasked to Lord Castlereagh as an attaché, but his real value is in espionage. Malcolm and his wife, Suzanne, are surreptitiously summoned by Princess Tatiana, former mistress to a few Congress attendees, to meet at her lodgings in the dead of night. Unfortunately, it is Princess Tatiana who is dead when they arrive, and Malcolm is the Austrian’s chief suspect, as well as Castlereagh’s chosen investigator. It seems as though every country and/or powerful person in Vienna has a motive for murder, even the women.
In order to find Princess Tatiana’s killer, Malcolm must accept his wife’s help and stay alive long enough to find out the real reason why the princess was killed. In the process, the foundation of Malcolm’s marriage is shaken, and he and Suzanne must trust each other at the most difficult times. Otherwise, the fragile European peace will deteriorate again into war.
I absolutely loved this book. This history is deliciously complex, but not so difficult as to prevent the reader from understanding the plotline. There is also a helpful list of characters in the beginning of the novel, which identifies who is who and which characters actually existed.
Aside from the fantastic historical parts, the characters are well developed and retain their individual integrity throughout the novel. The mystery is so well done that I could not guess who the murderer was. Until the very end, I was still guessing at who and why, with several different plausible theories. Needless to say that the pace was quick, and the reader is kept moving like the waltz itself.
Vienna Waltz is historical fiction at its spellbinding best, taking complicated historical events and weaving them through a fictional story so compelling you won’t be able to put it down. If you are even remotely a fan of history, you will love this book.
**Review shared with The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10565.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
An Improper Pursuit by Julia Parks - 3 stars
AN IMPROPER PURSUIT by Julia Parks is a proper addition to any eReader, with action, romance, and relatable family dynamics. I give it three stars.
In AN IMPROPER PURSUIT, spinster Chastity Hartford is biding her time until she comes into her inheritance and can set up her own household. Having been "ruined" during her first Season, Chastity suffers her mother's constant criticisms and her sisters' clueless teasing. During a Christmas house party, Chastity is reunited with Alexander Fitzsimmons, her adolescent crush whom she hasn't seen in ten years.
Alex is almost immediately enamored by a very grown-up Chastity, and he takes advantage of the holiday mistletoe to kiss her whenever possible. Unfortunately, Alex isn't visiting the Hartfords to celebrate the holidays; Alex has been tasked by the Home Office to uncover a French spy in the Hartfords' area. His desire to woo Chastity conflicts with his devotion to his country with dire consequences.
AN IMPROPER PURSUIT is deceptively calm for most of the book, but fifty pages from the end, the reader's expectations are upended. Two days before Christmas, the spy is revealed and life for Chastity and Alex becomes terrifyingly dangerous. This change of pace was shocking, but the reader probably feels it just as Chastity would.
For the most part, the plotline and development of the romantic relationship were realistic. The romance is fairly clean, making the book appropriate for teens and adults alike. I really loved how the sisters interacted. Their relationships illustrate how siblings' experiences of the same events can be entirely different, and that even though you may have known someone your entire life, you may not know them as well as you think.
The novel only briefly dips into the stereotypical melodrama of the male protagonist trying to "protect" his female from danger by not telling her the truth, while the female does whatever is necessary to uncover the truth, thereby throwing herself directly in harm's way. Perhaps my irritation with this aspect of regency romance plotlines has more to do with the fact that I was not raised during the 1800's, when "women's rights" was still an oxymoron.
Overall, AN IMPROPER PURSUIT is an entertaining novel for all, and a great option for your summer reading list.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=9852
In AN IMPROPER PURSUIT, spinster Chastity Hartford is biding her time until she comes into her inheritance and can set up her own household. Having been "ruined" during her first Season, Chastity suffers her mother's constant criticisms and her sisters' clueless teasing. During a Christmas house party, Chastity is reunited with Alexander Fitzsimmons, her adolescent crush whom she hasn't seen in ten years.
Alex is almost immediately enamored by a very grown-up Chastity, and he takes advantage of the holiday mistletoe to kiss her whenever possible. Unfortunately, Alex isn't visiting the Hartfords to celebrate the holidays; Alex has been tasked by the Home Office to uncover a French spy in the Hartfords' area. His desire to woo Chastity conflicts with his devotion to his country with dire consequences.
AN IMPROPER PURSUIT is deceptively calm for most of the book, but fifty pages from the end, the reader's expectations are upended. Two days before Christmas, the spy is revealed and life for Chastity and Alex becomes terrifyingly dangerous. This change of pace was shocking, but the reader probably feels it just as Chastity would.
For the most part, the plotline and development of the romantic relationship were realistic. The romance is fairly clean, making the book appropriate for teens and adults alike. I really loved how the sisters interacted. Their relationships illustrate how siblings' experiences of the same events can be entirely different, and that even though you may have known someone your entire life, you may not know them as well as you think.
The novel only briefly dips into the stereotypical melodrama of the male protagonist trying to "protect" his female from danger by not telling her the truth, while the female does whatever is necessary to uncover the truth, thereby throwing herself directly in harm's way. Perhaps my irritation with this aspect of regency romance plotlines has more to do with the fact that I was not raised during the 1800's, when "women's rights" was still an oxymoron.
Overall, AN IMPROPER PURSUIT is an entertaining novel for all, and a great option for your summer reading list.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=9852
Lycan Unleashed by Tiffany Allee - 4 stars
Grab onto your seats because LYCAN UNLEASHED by Tiffany Allee will take you on one wild ride. Between the crazy Otherworlders, unresolved romantic interests, and the twists and turns in the plot, this novel has something for everyone. I give it 4 stars and look forward to reading more of Ms. Allee's work.
In LYCAN UNLEASHED, detective Astrid Holmes uses her special talents to help solve crimes. Astrid is a "sensitive," which means exactly that; she is sensitive to the energy around her, whether it comes from vampire, lycanthrope, salamander – yes, you read that correctly: salamander – or inanimate objects. When evidence goes missing in a murder case she is helping investigate, she is put on administrative leave until being cleared. Astrid circumvents her boss's benching by persuading a "former" romantic interest to let her consult on the OWEA (Otherworlder Enforcement Agency) side of the investigation.
Mason Sanderson, a lycan, has serious feelings for Astrid, but he is still haunted by the demise of a previous relationship. They have to work out their romantic issues and solve the murder case before one or both of them is killed in the process.
I love murder mysteries, and I was seriously hooked by this one from the beginning. The pace of the book was quick and steady, giving you just enough information to gnaw on before changing scenes. The description of the otherworlders was enough to help you understand who's who in the book when you need to know, but not so much that it reads like an encyclopedia. I loved Astrid's description of how her sensitivities feel, especially the taste of people's energy.
The plotline is simple, which is great because it counterbalances the complexity of the world in which Astrid lives, and the romantic development is absolutely believable. The heat level of this novel rates about a 3, appropriate for readers 18 years old and up.
Most importantly, I was not able to guess "who dunnit" or predict the end, which makes the novel a winner in my book. There really wasn't anything about the novel that I didn't like. Even the length was perfect – not too short for the reader to feel cheated, and not too long for the story to drag.
All in all, LYCAN UNLEASHED was a fantastic murder mystery, easy to read and enjoy over a few days (or 1 day if you have no obligations), and I recommend it to all paranormal romance and murder mystery lovers.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10275.
In LYCAN UNLEASHED, detective Astrid Holmes uses her special talents to help solve crimes. Astrid is a "sensitive," which means exactly that; she is sensitive to the energy around her, whether it comes from vampire, lycanthrope, salamander – yes, you read that correctly: salamander – or inanimate objects. When evidence goes missing in a murder case she is helping investigate, she is put on administrative leave until being cleared. Astrid circumvents her boss's benching by persuading a "former" romantic interest to let her consult on the OWEA (Otherworlder Enforcement Agency) side of the investigation.
Mason Sanderson, a lycan, has serious feelings for Astrid, but he is still haunted by the demise of a previous relationship. They have to work out their romantic issues and solve the murder case before one or both of them is killed in the process.
I love murder mysteries, and I was seriously hooked by this one from the beginning. The pace of the book was quick and steady, giving you just enough information to gnaw on before changing scenes. The description of the otherworlders was enough to help you understand who's who in the book when you need to know, but not so much that it reads like an encyclopedia. I loved Astrid's description of how her sensitivities feel, especially the taste of people's energy.
The plotline is simple, which is great because it counterbalances the complexity of the world in which Astrid lives, and the romantic development is absolutely believable. The heat level of this novel rates about a 3, appropriate for readers 18 years old and up.
Most importantly, I was not able to guess "who dunnit" or predict the end, which makes the novel a winner in my book. There really wasn't anything about the novel that I didn't like. Even the length was perfect – not too short for the reader to feel cheated, and not too long for the story to drag.
All in all, LYCAN UNLEASHED was a fantastic murder mystery, easy to read and enjoy over a few days (or 1 day if you have no obligations), and I recommend it to all paranormal romance and murder mystery lovers.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10275.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
47 Destinies by Marlies Schudlach Perez - 3 stars
Marlies Schudlach Perez's 47 DESTINIES is a compelling novel about daring to dream big and refusing to settle timidly in life. I give it three stars for its theme and message, which are so appropriate for our 21st Century lives.
In 47 DESTINIES, Cora Jacobs thinks that her life is on the right course. She has a job (not great, but strategic) as an intern at an environmental company, a handsome boyfriend, who is reliable and kind and with whom she has a comfortable relationship. She ignores the little things that bother her about her love life until she finally meets her boss, Brent Locke.
Brent Locke, recently positioned as CEO of his family's corporation after a family tragedy, has determined to protect himself from the pain of relationships by being stern and uninvolved. However, his new intern throws him for a loop. She gets under his skin and somehow persuades him to open up, but there are serious impediments to their relationship – Cora's boyfriend, her belief that Brent is married, and the interference of Brent's family. Will Cora and Brent succeed where others have failed?
On the whole, I liked 47 DESTINIES and its theme. Too often, I see women who settle for less than what they want in relationships – not less in terms of social status or physical possessions, but less in terms of commitment and emotional connection. Emotional connection is difficult in real life, and because art imitates life, it is even more difficult to achieve in a novel without feeling melodramatic or contrived.
Here, Cora is faced with a choice between a risky man to whom she is seriously attracted and a safe man about whom she feels lukewarm. Don't be fooled by her happy ending. It takes strength to stick with that decision, and I felt Cora lacked that kind of character. She crosses the line several times as she attempts to figure out what she wants and how to communicate it. I suppose I should cut her some slack because, after all, she's only human, but I really did not like her inability to distance herself from her "married" boss. Kissing a married man is just not okay in my book. Kissing your boss is just stupid, like lighting a match in a room full of dynamite. Kissing two guys on the same day also shows some serious weakness of character.
To say I was disappointed in Cora's character is an understatement. Her soul searching lacked credibility to me. Forty pages from the end of the book, Cora finally thinks about God. It was too little, too late to be believable, especially when the idea of Kate Morgan's ghost was mentioned so early in the novel. Spirituality and God could easily have been introduced at that point, and Cora's views could have been illustrated.
I appreciate the development of Brent's character. The reader definitely sees him softening towards Cora, and his surreptitious machinations regarding her employment with his company showed thoughtfulness and maturity. Some of Brent's thoughts and narration were on the melodramatic side, but because he's purposefully enigmatic in the beginning, the reader should be ready for anything from him. Heat level rating is a 3, love scenes are appropriate for those 18 and older.
I would have liked to see more finesse and nuance in the narration and dialogue. Sometimes the descriptions or the characters' conversations felt stiff and overly proper, as if the reader wouldn't understand the scene if a pronoun was used instead of the character's name, or as if full words were necessary instead of contractions. I agree that some authors are too free with their contractions to the point that the verb tense is unclear, but here I would have liked to see more "it's" instead of "it is." Also, some of the narration switches perspective in the middle of the paragraph, which was a tad confusing at times.
Overall, I enjoyed 47 DESTINIES, and recommend it for your summer reading list.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10239
In 47 DESTINIES, Cora Jacobs thinks that her life is on the right course. She has a job (not great, but strategic) as an intern at an environmental company, a handsome boyfriend, who is reliable and kind and with whom she has a comfortable relationship. She ignores the little things that bother her about her love life until she finally meets her boss, Brent Locke.
Brent Locke, recently positioned as CEO of his family's corporation after a family tragedy, has determined to protect himself from the pain of relationships by being stern and uninvolved. However, his new intern throws him for a loop. She gets under his skin and somehow persuades him to open up, but there are serious impediments to their relationship – Cora's boyfriend, her belief that Brent is married, and the interference of Brent's family. Will Cora and Brent succeed where others have failed?
On the whole, I liked 47 DESTINIES and its theme. Too often, I see women who settle for less than what they want in relationships – not less in terms of social status or physical possessions, but less in terms of commitment and emotional connection. Emotional connection is difficult in real life, and because art imitates life, it is even more difficult to achieve in a novel without feeling melodramatic or contrived.
Here, Cora is faced with a choice between a risky man to whom she is seriously attracted and a safe man about whom she feels lukewarm. Don't be fooled by her happy ending. It takes strength to stick with that decision, and I felt Cora lacked that kind of character. She crosses the line several times as she attempts to figure out what she wants and how to communicate it. I suppose I should cut her some slack because, after all, she's only human, but I really did not like her inability to distance herself from her "married" boss. Kissing a married man is just not okay in my book. Kissing your boss is just stupid, like lighting a match in a room full of dynamite. Kissing two guys on the same day also shows some serious weakness of character.
To say I was disappointed in Cora's character is an understatement. Her soul searching lacked credibility to me. Forty pages from the end of the book, Cora finally thinks about God. It was too little, too late to be believable, especially when the idea of Kate Morgan's ghost was mentioned so early in the novel. Spirituality and God could easily have been introduced at that point, and Cora's views could have been illustrated.
I appreciate the development of Brent's character. The reader definitely sees him softening towards Cora, and his surreptitious machinations regarding her employment with his company showed thoughtfulness and maturity. Some of Brent's thoughts and narration were on the melodramatic side, but because he's purposefully enigmatic in the beginning, the reader should be ready for anything from him. Heat level rating is a 3, love scenes are appropriate for those 18 and older.
I would have liked to see more finesse and nuance in the narration and dialogue. Sometimes the descriptions or the characters' conversations felt stiff and overly proper, as if the reader wouldn't understand the scene if a pronoun was used instead of the character's name, or as if full words were necessary instead of contractions. I agree that some authors are too free with their contractions to the point that the verb tense is unclear, but here I would have liked to see more "it's" instead of "it is." Also, some of the narration switches perspective in the middle of the paragraph, which was a tad confusing at times.
Overall, I enjoyed 47 DESTINIES, and recommend it for your summer reading list.
**Review originally written for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=10239
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