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.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
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.
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