Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh

I am such a Balogh fan. If my house was on fire and I could only grab a few books on my way out the door, I'd pick most of them off my Balogh shelf. I can't think of another author who has moved me as much. That's one reason the Slightly books were so disappointing for me - although I liked the last book in the series, there were two or three that were actually unreadable. I began to wonder if Mary Balogh had been abducted by aliens.

I'd heard more promising things about this series, but when I started this book, I was immediately worried. The "we're strangers, let's jump in bed" plotline is hard for me to swallow under the best of circumstances, and it didn't seem like Balogh was doing anything to make it more appealing to me. When the book turned around in the second half, I was so relieved...

Simply Unforgettable by Mary Balogh
(2005, Regency Historical) 9/18/08
Grade: 4

When schoolteacher Frances Allard is stuck in a snowstorm with Lucius, Vicsount Sinclair, she is initially annoyed, then attracted to him. They spend the night together, thinking they will never see each other again. Frances is resigned to her life as a teacher, but Lucius can’t stop thinking about her, and is determined to find a way for them to be together.

Initially, I found this book a bit annoying and dull. I didn’t find either the hero or heroine particularly interesting or sympathetic (he was arrogant, she was passive). It didn’t make a lot of sense for them to go to bed together - I really didn’t see this great attraction between them, and it seemed like just a plot point by the author. However, the book improved dramatically once that section was over, and the two separated. Lucius, in particular, became a much more interesting and sympathetic character once he realized that he cared for Frances (almost in spite of himself). I love a hero who will move heaven and earth to be with the heroine. Frances was still a less interesting character - in particular, I got a bit tired of the hints about her “mysterious past” - but the last few chapters were so touching and emotional, in true Balogh style, that I had to give it a better grade.

I'm such an emotional reader - I can forgive a lot of flaws, if I close the book with that happy "aahhh" feeling. A book that leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy will always get a better grade from me.

Lean On Me by Jill Shalvis

I have a great fondness for romances about disabled heroes and heroines - which probably has some deep psychological meaning, but I think the main reason is that it often gives the story more depth, and a chance to deal with issues beyond the usual "boy meets girl" (or more likely these days "boy tries to bite girl".)

Lean On Me by Jill Shalvis (LS 912)
(1998, Contemporary Series) 9/10/08
Grade: 4

Clarissa Woods is relieved to finally be free of her abusive father, and starting a new life as a physical therapist. But she didn’t expect to be so attracted to the center’s founder, Bo Tyler. Bo has rebuilt his life after an accident left him in a wheelchair, but there’s something about Clarissa that makes him reconsider his bachelor life.

This book had interesting characters and a lot of compelling issues, but it just felt too short to properly deal with all of them. I found Clarissa particularly well drawn - her fear and relief at escaping her past, her difficulties in dealing with her new co-workers, etc. However, I thought she got over her problems very quickly, which was probably dictated by the length of the book. Bo was also an interesting character, especially in his interactions with Clarissa, but I was disappointed at his insistence that he couldn’t be a “real man” unless he could walk - it seemed particularly odd considering his work at the therapy center, working with children in wheelchairs. Perhaps this would have been more believable in a longer story, but in this one, it just felt like a romance cliche. Overall, there were a lot of good things in this story, but it just felt rushed and a little too short.

I went back and forth several times, trying to decide how to grade this book. It was good, but flawed. I decided to give it a boost, mainly because it dealt with some interesting issues, but books like this are definitely the hardest ones to grade!

Rain Shadow by Cheryl St. John

I usually avoid Indian romances, unless there's something particular to recommend them - so often, they feature the same old cliches and stereotypes. But I'll read any book by Cheryl St. John - and of course, she doesn't write about "noble savage" cliches.

Rain Shadow by Cheryl St. John
(1994, Western) 9/9/08
Grade: 4

Rescued by an Indian warrior as a child, Rain Shadow has spent her life as a performer in Bill Cody’s Wild West show. When an accident leaves her and her son Slade on a farm in Pennsylvania, Rain Shadow isn’t sure how to live in the white man’s world - and Anton can’t figure out why he finds this unsuitable woman so attractive.

Although this didn’t have the deep emotionalism of Cheryl St. John’s best books, it’s well written and features real characters with real emotions. Although the “white woman raised as an Indian” plotline is familiar, the author takes it in new directions - it doesn’t feature the usual cliches. Rain Shadow is caught between two worlds, but Anton doesn’t have a problem with an Indian wife - he admires her for her strength and skill. The biggest problem with this book is that the hero and heroine spend far too long figuring out how they feel about each other. Especially in the second half, it started to feel repetitive. I wanted more of the characters’ emotions and less about the suspense plotline featuring Rain Shadow’s former lover. However, this is a fairly minor criticism - I found the book very readable and enjoyed it very much.

It's interesting that this was Cheryl St. John's first published book - it takes place after the events of another book she wrote, Heaven Can Wait. Perhaps she wrote that one first, but this one ended up being published first. However, her talent was definitely clear from the beginning!

Something About Emmaline by Elizabeth Boyle

The con artist heroine is not that uncommon in American historicals, but I've rarely seen this type in Regency-set romances. One reason I get tired of the Regency period isn't because of the period itself, but because of the restrictions that authors (and readers) sometimes put on the genre - only certain kinds of characters allowed. This heroine is pretty mild, as "con artist" heroines go, but it is a refreshing change from the typical Regency miss.

Something About Emmaline by Elizabeth Boyle
(2005, Regency Historical) 9/3/08
Grade: 3.5

When Alex, Lord Sedgwick, made up a wife, he thought he was avoiding trouble. But when Emmaline shows up and starts redecorating his house, Sedgwick doesn’t know what to think - who is this imposter, and why is she so attractive and appealing? She isn’t at all the wife he’d envisioned.

This was a cute book with appealing characters, but it didn’t have much deep emotion. The hero and heroine were both a lot of fun, and I especially enjoyed Emmaline, who has lived by her wits all her life, and is a refreshing change from the typical romance heroine. She and Alex had nice chemistry together, and their interactions were enjoyable. I would have given this book a slightly higher grade if it weren’t for the ending, which throws in one unbelievable coincidence after another, just to make everything come out perfect with a ribbon on top. It kind of spoiled the book for me, just a bit - Alex’s sacrifice to marry Emmaline despite her background didn’t mean much after her past was whisked away. But overall, it was an enjoyable read, although I doubt I’ll remember much about it by next week!

I've ranted about this before, but I'll say it again - why do authors feel the need to wash away all of the heroine's issues in the last chapter of a book? Do readers really want this? I love reading about a hero who will sacrifice for love, and at least to me, it feels less satisfying if the hero's sacrifice turns out to mean nothing because the heroine is really nobly born, or isn't really poor, or whatever. This particular book ends with a coincidence that's so outlandish, it would make a soap opera writer blush. Why? Do readers really think it makes the ending "more happy"?

Cool Shade by Theresa Weir

Theresa Weir was one of those authors who always seemed to have a lot of potential. She wrote about unusual characters, and she was one of the few authors who wrote serious, thoughtful contemporaries. But her books were wildly inconsistent. Often, they have moments of greatness, interspersed with questionable plotting and characterization. But I wish she'd kept writing romances - I kept thinking she had a great book in her somewhere.

Cool Shade by Theresa Weir
(1998, Contemporary) 8/29/08
Grade: 3

After Maddie’s sister disappears, she decides to take a trip to Nebraska to find her - it’s the perfect chance to get away from her dead-end life. Her first suspect is the mysterious Eddie Berlin, who might have hired her sister as a prostitute, but attracts Maddie even though she can’t quite trust him.

There was a good book lurking in here somewhere. Unfortunately, it was overshadowed by a lot of not-so-good. For the first half of the book, I couldn’t figure out either the hero or the heroine. They hate each other, no, they boink like bunnies. She distrusts him, no, she wants to tear her clothes off every time he walks in the room. It made very little sense. There was nothing to these characters other than their overheated hormones. Finally, in the last third of the book, the characters actually started talking, and things improved drastically - for the first time, I started to care about what happened to them, especially Eddie. His characterization was much more consistent than Maddie’s, and I would have liked to know more about his agoraphobia and his past. But it was a long slog to get to that point.

I've now worked my way through the Weir backlist - the two best ones, in my opinion, were Long Night Moon and Forever.

The Date Next Door by Gina Wilkins

The Date Next Door by Gina Wilkins (SSE 1799)
(2006, Contemporary Series) 8/21/08
Grade: 3

When Nic’s widowed neighbor, Joel Brannon, needs a date to his high school reunion, she’s glad to accept - as a friend. But once they start spending time together, she starts wondering, is being “just friends” enough? And can he accept her job as a small town police officer?

This book was well written, with some interesting conflicts (instead of the hero being a police officer, it’s the heroine - and it’s the hero who finds it difficult to deal with her job). But overall, it was kind of boring. I found myself losing interest in it fairly quickly. The characters were well drawn, the situation realistic and well written - but after a while, it just felt too predictable, without much pep or passion to make it unique.

I debated about how to grade this one, because I can't really say anything bad about it... but it just felt totally predictable.

Delicious by Sherry Thomas

After all the praise the author has received, I had high hopes for this one... alas...

Delicious by Sherry Thomas
(2008, Victorian) 8/20/08
Grade: 3.5

After the death of Bertie Somerset, her onetime lover, renowned cook Verity Durant isn’t sure what will happen next. She has a history with the new heir, Stuart Somerset, once illegitimate and now a rising politician, but she’s not sure if she wants him to know that she’s the same woman he loved ten years ago... or that she’s hiding a secret past of her own.

This is a hard book to grade. On one hand, it has lovely, lyrical writing, and a story that kept my attention through most of the book. On the other hand, I often felt manipulated by the author - that she was arranging the plot in ways that felt unrealistic and frustrating. (For example, the long delay before Stuart realized his cook was also his former lover - it was strung out far too long, and after a while, I just felt like the author was pulling the reader’s strings.) The sex felt titillating rather than arising from true emotion, and by the time we reached the ending, I just felt tired of all the pushing and pulling, rather than caught up in the emotions of the main characters. I found the secondary romance intriguing (although I would have liked to know more about these characters - again, the author seemed more interested in wry word games than emotion). And the food was wonderfully described, especially in the first half of the book. But overall, this was a book that just didn’t do much for me as an emotional reader - it felt more like an intellectual exercise than a romance.

I am an unabashedly emotional romance reader. I want to throw myself into a book and be carried away with the emotions of the characters. Unfortunately, I've often found that more "literary" writing and plotting put a barrier between me and this emotional experience. I've seen it with Judith Ivory, for example. It's too bad, because I do admire lovely writing - there were some beautiful passages, especially in the first half of the book where there was more of an emphasis on the food - but it's not enough. If I don't feel like I'm there with the characters, feeling what they feel, experiencing what they experience, then the book just isn't successful to me - and that seems to be hard to fit in with a more literary writing style. The only author that can do that for me is Laura Kinsale (and even she isn't always successful).

An Honorable Rogue by Carol Townend

I'm not usually a big fan of the "road romance". Often, road romances feel more like a series of episodes rather than a story, and they often have a lot of external "stuff" going on. But in this case, the road section was the best part of the book - it was only when the journey ended that the book ran into problems.

An Honorable Rogue by Carol Townend (HH 229)
(2008, Medieval) 8/19/08
Grade: 3.5

Rose Kerber is determined to go to England, despite the political turmoil of 1067. After an unhappy marriage, she has the chance to marry a knight who can give her the stability she crave. But why does she have such warm feelings for childhood friend Ben Silvester, a flirtatious minstrel? She may need him on her journey, but she must resist his kisses...

It was interesting to read a medieval that, for the most part, wasn’t set among lords and castles. Rose and Ben were ordinary people - a seamstress and a minstrel - and it was fascinating to see the medieval world from a different perspective. I also enjoyed these two characters - Ben was very attractive, the rogue with a heart, and I also liked practical Rose. I’m not a huge fan of road romances, but this one worked fairly well. However, even though the initial attraction between Ben and Rose worked well, I felt that the book took a long time getting started, and then kind of fizzled out at the end. The fun chemistry between the hero and heroine got lost in the last few chapters, so that the author could deal with all the plot points that needed to be wrapped up. I ended up a little bit disappointed.

Even though this wasn't the best book, I'm grateful, as always, to Harlequin Historicals, for publishing books that might not be flashy enough or trendy enough to be published as single titles.

The Chef's Choice by Kristin Hardy

I have become a huge fan of chefs and cooking - from watching them on Iron Chef America and Top Chef to reading books like Kitchen Confidential or Cook Like a Chef, I just love it. I'm surprised there aren't more romances about chefs, considering how trendy they are at the moment.

The Chef's Choice by Kristin Hardy (SSE 1919)
(2008, Contemporary Series) 8/16/08
Grade: 4

Damon Hurst was once a well regarded chef, but after being fired, he needs to find his way back, and taking over the restaurant at the Compass Rose Inn in rural Maine might be his chance. Cady McBain has been part of her family’s inn since childhood, and she won’t let some celebrity chef ruin it - but maybe Damon is more than his bad boy reputation.

I love chef heroes, and this book does a better job than most in creating a realistic working environment. I loved hearing about Damon’s concern about his dishes, his frustrations at finding produce, his attitude in the kitchen. His attraction to Cady was well done. I also liked Cady as a character, and the conflict between them was realistic. However, overall the book was a bit forgettable. By the next day, I didn’t remember much about the romance, although I remembered the descriptions of the cooking and kitchen work. That’s what made it stand out - otherwise it could have been any other book. Enjoyable and easy to read, but not all that unique.

I have to admit, if this book hadn't featured all the great scenes in the kitchen, I would have probably found it pedestrian.

His Secret Past by Ellen Hartman

When I go to the bookstore and see the endless rows of babies and cowboys and billionaires in the series romance section, I sometimes despair of ever finding something I'll enjoy! It's nice to know there are still some series books that I can enjoy.

His Secret Past by Ellen Hartman (HSR 1491)
(2008, Contemporary Series) 8/15/08
Grade: 4

Documentary filmmaker Anna Walsh wants to make a film about rock band Five Star - and hopefully find out what ended the career of lead singer Mason Star. Mason is finally clean and sober, and has devoted his life to his son and Mulligans, a community devoted to second chances. The last thing he wants to do is relive his past. But there's something about Anna...

The author does a great job creating a group of realistic, heartfelt characters. By the end of the book, I felt like I’d really gotten to know all of them, from Anna and Mason to Joe, Christian, Stephanie, and the others. I wanted to know what happened to them in their pasts, and where they were going in the future. However, although there was strong chemistry between Anna and Mason, their relationship was just one thread among many. The romance could have been more front and center. But this is a fairly minor criticism. Overall, I really enjoyed getting to know these characters, and found the book rewarding.

I'm grateful to review sites for bringing books like this to my attention - I can't remember where I first heard about this one, but I probably wouldn't have picked it up without a review.

To Love A Stranger by Adrianne Byrd

When I was in college, I was assigned The Return of Martin Guerre by Natalie Zemon Davis. The book describes the historical record of the Martin Guerre case, but it also asks the question: in an age when portraits were limited to the wealthy, how closely could you remember how someone looked? If a husband was gone for 10 years or more, how would you know it was him, when he came home? People today say, "of course I would know" but we live at a time with photography everywhere. My Mom died 15 years ago, and when I remember her, am I remembering what she really looked like, or the photos I've looked at since then?

I always thought that would be an intriguing premise for a romance, although it takes a lot of handwaving to make it work in a contemporary setting.

To Love A Stranger by Adrianne Byrd
(2007, Contemporary) 8/1/08
Grade: 3.5

Six years after her music mogul husband was lost at sea, Madeline Stone is happier without him. She is using her inheritance to fund her fashion career, and she doesn’t have to deal with his infidelities and disrespect. But when Russell seems to have returned, she’s not sure what to think - how can this kind and loving man be the same person?

I’ve always thought this plotline would be a great premise for a romance novel (with a happier ending, of course!) But although I’ve read a couple of books with this idea, none of them have really worked well, and unfortunately, although this one is the best of the lot, it doesn’t really stand out either. The book was smoothly written, but it felt superficial, without a lot of emotional involvement with the characters. Although there was some attempt to explore Madeline’s mixed feelings about Russell’s return, and Russell’s emotions when connecting with his children, they just didn’t move me. Maybe it was because so much of the book was taken up with the details of the plot (is he or isn’t he) and descriptions of the characters’ wealth, or perhaps it was just because the book wasn’t long enough, but it just didn’t work for me. I just didn't feel emotionally involved with the characters. It wasn’t bad, just predictable and a bit dull.

This is one of those books that's hard to grade. I can't point to anything in particular that was "wrong" with it, but it just left me unmoved. I can enjoy a book with a familiar plotline, but the author has to do something to make the characters stand out, and I just didn't find that here.

The Discarded Duke by Nancy Butler

I'm not usually worried about "spoilers". I read a lot of reviews, looking for new books and new authors, and for the most part, I want the review to give me a good understanding of what the book is about, even if that means revealing spoilers. For example, I remember picking up a book based on reviews that said the heroine was infertile, and implied that she and the hero would have to deal with that issue in their relationship. In actuality, the heroine becomes pregnant very early in the book, and the book turned into a very typical "cutie patootie baby book". Not what I was expecting, and not a book I would have bought if I'd known. I felt like the reviewer should have said something, rather than giving a misleading impression of the book in an attempt to avoid "spoilers". (And I have never bought that author again, even though she is now a big name - I still feel like she stole my money under false pretenses.)

However, sometimes spoilers really do "spoil" a book. I read a review of this book that revealed a huge secret that was a big part of the book's plot, and I just didn't think it was necessary to give a clear idea of what the book was about. When I started reading this book, I immediately remembered the review, and it changed my view of the book, since I knew from the start what was going to happen. Would my experience with this book have been different if I'd come into it cold?

(By the way, I am not revealing any spoilers in my review!)

The Discarded Duke by Nancy Butler
(2002, Regency) 7/30/08
Grade: 4.5

Widowed and deeply in debt, Ursula Roarke sees her chance when she meets the Duke of Ardsley. But when she visits his estate, where he hopes to set up a stud farm, she finds herself unaccountably attracted to the baliff, William Ridd. After suffering abuse, Will has turned his sheep into the best in England - but a romance with a well born lady is impossible, isn’t it?

This book had wonderful, compelling characters and an emotional core that made me care about them. All of the four main characters - Ursula, Ardsley, Will and the duke’s onetime love, Judith - were sympathetic and well drawn. Even in a fairly short book, the author was able to make me believe in the attraction between Ursula and Will, and feel the yearning that kept drawing them together. There was a lot going on in this book, between the love story, the sheep farm and the “big secret”, but I thought Butler was able to explore all of them without feeling rushed, at least up until the end. The only flaw was the ending, which wrapped up the stories a little too quickly. Will’s choice made sense, but it was such a monumental decision in his life, and it felt rushed. I guessed the “big secret” very early in the book, but I felt that it was handled well, and I never felt like the author was dragging it out. All in all, an excellent book with real, heartfelt emotion.

When I think of the "casualties" of the elimination of the Regency, I think Nancy Butler's name has to be on the list. I don't know what she's doing now, but she hasn't published since Signet went under. Although I haven't loved all of her books, I saw a lot of promise in them - they had the deep characterization and heartfelt emotion of Mary Balogh or Mary Jo Putney. But I guess this style of writing just doesn't fit with the current trend of lusty historical romps, and she didn't have the name recognition to continue to publish her quieter, more thoughtful books in the single title format. It's too bad, and I hope I see her books again someday.

My Only Love by Katherine Sutcliffe

I've been reading romance for a long time (since my high school years in the 80's) and maybe that makes me a bit jaded. Plot twists that might have surprised me ten or twenty years ago now seem obvious and dull. There are still some authors who can make the "big secret" or the "big misunderstanding" work, but it's more difficult now that so many of these plots have been done over and over. That doesn't mean that I can't still enjoy an "old fashioned" romance - give me well written characters and well drawn emotions, and I will fall in love with romance all over again - but I have a lot less patience for the games that some authors play.

My Only Love by Katherine Sutcliffe
(1993, Victorian?) 7/29/08
Grade: 3

Olive Devonshire danced naked for gypsies, had a tattoo, and bore a son out of wedlock. Miles Warwick knew the shame of illegitimacy, but Olivia’s money was his one chance to redeem himself and make him respectable. And he couldn’t help being intrigued by someone who broke society’s rules so eagerly...

This book was a mix of good and bad. The characters were compelling, but it had two major flaws. First, why did Olivia “love” Miles? The plot depends on Olivia having this great love for Miles and wanting to save him, but he comes across as an irresponsible jerk who slept with her sister and treated everyone around him like dirt. I didn’t get it. Secondly, the “big secret” in the book was obvious (at least to me) from the first chapter, and after a while, the delays and interruptions just became frustrating. I knew how it was going to turn out, and I just wanted them to get over the “big reveal” and go on with the story, but the author put it off until almost the end of the book. I kept reading because I wanted to find out how the story would be resolved (unfortunately, exactly as I’d predicted) and the writing was compelling. But there’s a reason the big misunderstanding went out of style, and it just doesn’t work here.

I read several Katherine Sutcliffe books back in the 90's (A Heart Possessed stands out in particular) but unfortunately, I think the big misunderstanding plots haven't aged well. It's too bad, because I did find the hero and heroine compelling. If they'd spent more time together, instead of dithering about the big secret, the book might have worked a lot better.

Kiss The Cook by Jacquie D'Alessandro

When it comes to series books, enjoyable characters and charm go a long way for me. Things that might wear thin in a longer book work perfectly in a shorter, lighter read. Sometimes it's just relaxing to enjoy a charming, well written story about likeable people.

Kiss the Cook by Jacquie D'Alessandro (ZB 46)
(2000, Contemporary Series) 7/28/08
Grade: 4

When caterer Melanie Gibson double parks in front of an office building, she has no idea she's about to meet the man of her dreams! After years of taking care of his family, Chris Bishop is ready to live the life of a carefree bachelor - but that was before he met Mel. Something about her makes his thoughts of swinging bachelor life disappear.

This was a cute and charming romance that was easy and fun to read. I really liked the hero and heroine, who were both likeable and came across as real people that you'd like to know. There was also a lot of sexual tension, even though the book wasn't very explicit. (I could have done without the constant references to the hero's erection, though.) The book lost a little bit of momentum in the second half, simply because there wasn't much conflict - the attraction between the two is immediate and there's really nothing keeping them apart, and the author doesn't belabor their doubts for too long - but it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours. I found myself speeding through this book and enjoying myself thoroughly (even in a cramped airplane seat!) My only regret was that it was over too soon.

I discovered that this book was re-released as a single title in 2006. It might be a little thin for a single title book, but I'm glad it didn't get lost when Zebra Bouquet disappeared.

Winter Wonderland by Elizabeth Mansfield

There's nothing like a good Regency. Even a Regency that's just OK can really hit the spot when I'm tired of torrid historicals. Unfortunately, there are a lot of blah Regencies out there as well, with plotlines ad characters that just seem like same-old, same-old. It's frustrating, especially since my supply of Regencies continues to dwindle... still hoping there are a few sharp needles in that haystack.

Winter Wonderland by Elizabeth Mansfield
(1993, Regency) 7/15/08
Grade: 3

Eleven years ago, shy 19 year old Barnaby Traherne was ridiculed by young deb Miranda Perdew. Now, Barnaby is more confident and sure of himself, but when he meets Miranda again (now a penniless widow working as a governess) he finds himself still angry - and still attracted. But shouldn’t he marry shy, sweet Livy instead?

As much as I liked the characters in this book, I didn’t find a lot of romance in it. I could believe (barely) that Barnaby fell “in love” with Miranda after such a short time, because he didn’t realize it until near the end of the book after they’d spent a fair amount of time together, but Miranda declares her love for Barnaby in no time at all. A couple of short encounters, a moonlight kiss, and bam, she’s in love. I just didn’t believe it. On the other hand, the author always does a good job in depicting the Regency period, and I liked the close family life shared between Barnaby and his brothers. Overall, not a bad read, but very predictable.

I tried another Elizabeth Mansfield before this one (A Marriage of Inconvenience) and it had the same problems, except worse. Cardboard characters that seemed to fall "in love" for no reason except that the author said so. Just about as bad as the historical heroes and heroines, who seem to think lust equals love. Sigh...

Shield's Lady by Jayne Ann Krentz

I don't particularly like paranormal books, and although I read a lot of sci-fi when I was younger, I find it too involved for me now. (Plus, most sci-fi books, even the romance oriented ones, tend to focus on the world building and adventures over the hero/heroine intereractions.) But every now and then, I pick up a "futuristic" book. I like futuristics that are just a small step away from our current world - enough to be interesting, but not enough to be too involved. Alas, there aren't many of these around, and most of the time they aren't satisfying as romances even if the futuristic background is intriguing. Ah well.

Shield's Lady by Jayne Ann Krentz
(1989, Futuristic) 7/12/08
Grade: 3.5

Sariana is new to the Western continent, but she is determined to be a successful businesswoman by helping her employers get back a stolen prisma cutter. She has to deal with a Shield, whose clan is known to be rough and mercenary, but she had no idea how attractive he could be... or what would happen when he claimed her as his Shieldmate.

A fun futuristic adventure that had the typical Krentz touches. At first I really enjoyed the author’s trademark interactions between the hero and heroine, but then I realized that this was one of Krentz’s alpha heroes. He wasn’t as bad as some of her heroes, but I got tired of his alpha jerk tendencies pretty quickly. I also found the background of the colony to be interesting, but there were definitely some gaps in the world building. It had a lot of similarities to the Jayne Castle books that came out in the late 90’s. Overall, though, I found myself getting bored - too much running around and getting chased, not enough about the hero and heroine (once they finally got past the “I hate you but I lust for you” stage, the running around took over). A bit disappointing - I was hoping for another good Krentz book but this one was only OK.

Jayne Ann Krentz can be a frustrating author for me. On one hand, I have six of her books on my keeper shelf, more than any other author except Balogh, and I reread those books quite often. I've reread Grand Passion so many times the pages are falling out. But unfortunately, there was only one brief period when JAK wrote books that I enjoyed. Before that period, her heroes were too alpha. After that period, her books veered too far into romantic suspense for me. I haven't read her new books in a number of years, but I keep hoping that someday I'll find one of her books that's as satisfying to me as the ones on my keeper shelf. (Which are A Coral Kiss, Family Man, Perfect Partners, Wildest Hearts, Grand Passion and Trust Me.)

A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley

Although I read most of Beverley's Malloren books, I was never a big fan. Too much adventuring and running around. But I was tempted by this one, because the plotline was so appealing - although it was interesting to see how closely it resembled Hazard, at least in its outline. (The specifics are quite different.) I was reminded of Mary Balogh, who once said that she wrote books with similar plotlines so she could see how different characters would react to similar situations.

A Most Unsuitable Man by Jo Beverley
(2005, Georgian) 7/10/08
Grade: 4

After inheriting a fortune, Damaris Myddleton is ready to buy a husband. But when she’s humiliated by the marquess of Ashart, she finds comfort and amusement from Fitzroger - who is so appealing, but so unsuitable! But this penniless outcast turns out to have hidden depths, and when her life is in danger, Damaris begins to wonder if Fitz could be suitable after all!

This book has a lot in common with Hazard, which was set in the Regency but had a similar plotline. However, like most of the authors Georgian books, there’s more emphasis here on adventure. However, Fitz and Damaris are a great couple, and the author gives them time to get to know each other and talk together. There’s a little too much Rothgar-worship, especially in the last section, but the details of the Georgian era are fascinating, and overall, this was an enjoyable book, although I didn’t find it as emotionally compelling as Hazard.

I've become more aware of covers since I started working on the annual cover contest, although I still ignore unappealing covers most of the time. But I must admit, the cover for this book is wonderful. I actually prefer the front cover to the stepback image, although it's rare to see a cover that adheres so closely to the plot of the book.

The Desperate Viscount by Gayle Buck

There's something about a Regency that's just different from a historical. I always enjoy reading about how the characters fit into their social roles - why have a titled hero or heroine if the title doesn't affect what they do and how they act? However, sometimes I find myself wanting more...

The Desperate Viscount by Gayle Buck
(1993, Regency) 7/9/08
Grade: 3.5

Hotheaded Viscount St. John always thought he would inherit a dukedom, but after his uncle suddenly marries, he is forced to marry for money. Tradesman’s daughter Mary Pepperidge has the requisite dowry, but Sinjin finds himself unaccountably attracted to his quiet bride, although he never thought he’d let himself trust again after a painful childhood.

A well-written and interesting Regency, but it lacked romance, and shyed away from emotional intensity. I was intrigued by the character of Sinjin, who is depicted in great detail, especially in the first part of the book. (The heroine barely appears until the second half.) Sinjin’s pride is deeply hurt by the loss of his prospective title, especially when his fiance drops him and the ton turns him into a joke. But he leans on his friends, who are also described in great detail (a wonderful part of the book). There’s also a lot of interesting details about the ton and the social structures. However, I would have liked to know more about Sinjin’s past, which is only hinted at, as well as more about his relationship with Mary. The heroine isn’t as well drawn as the hero - although she has some spark, she’s mostly a stereotypical good girl - and I was disappointed that the author devoted so much time to Mary’s dealings with her uncouth sister, rather than delving into her marriage. Overall, I felt like the book ended too soon, leaving me feeling unfulfilled, despite the interesting hero.

I don't usually go looking for sequels to most books I read. I usually find them disappointing - the appearance of a familiar character isn't enough to make me like a book that didn't attract me on the first go-round. However, I found the hero's friends so appealing in this book, I had to find out whether the author had written about them, too! Alas, no. Probably because they weren't typical "romance heroes", which is probably why I liked them!

Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

I've had mixed results with Susan Elizabeth Phillips. On one hand, I think she has a unique voice, and unlike many romance writers, she isn't afraid to write about heroines who are less than perfect. On the other hand, I've found her books uneven, and sometimes I find her books lacking when it comes to the romance. Still, I appreciate a romance writer who isn't writing cookie cutter books.

Ain't She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
(2004, Contemporary) 6/28/08
Grade: 4

Back in high school, Sugar Beth was the queen of Parrish, Mississippi. She and her friends ruled the school. Now, Sugar Beth is back, but her life hasn’t turned out the way she wanted. Her only hope is to find a valuable painting left to her by her aunt... but she didn’t count on Colin Byrne living next door, the teacher whose life she’d ruined all those years ago.

As usual, SEP’s writing is smooth and easy to read - I finished this one in just a few hours. And it was refreshing to read about a heroine who was far from perfect. (Of course, she had a saintly reason for needing money, but I guess that’s inevitable in a romance.) However, I didn’t find the romance as compelling as Sugar Beth’s story. Although Colin was an interesting character, as the out-of-place British author who revels in his designer clothes, I got a little bored with their relationship, especially in the last third of the book. The story definitely fizzled out in the last section. I was more interested in the other characters in the town, particularly the troubled marriage between Winnie, Sugar Beth’s half sister, and Ryan, her ex-boyfriend. But overall, I found Sugar Beth a memorable and unique character, and so I had to give it a slightly higher grade based on that alone.

I don't seem to be a typical SEP fan when it comes to the books I like and don't like. I find her Chicago Stars books mostly forgettable - probably because I loathe football and would rather stick pins in my eyes than read about it. However, I enjoy her unconventional heroines, which seem to offend some of her more diehard fans!

White Picket Fences by Tara Taylor Quinn

I always appreciate a heroine who is a little bit different. Although I'm far from an athlete myself, it's nice to read about a heroine who is unabashedly athletic - and a hero who admires her for it.

White Picket Fences by Tara Taylor Quinn
(2000, Contemporary Series) 6/21/08
Grade: 4

Miranda Parsons is content with her job, her family, her home. If only she didn’t have to sponsor a pet therapy group at her college - dogs are so messy! But veterinarian Zack Foster is a lot more appealing. Zack is still reeling after his wife left him for another woman, so all he wants is an affair with no strings - which is just what Miranda wants too, right?

This was a very easy book to read - I finished it in one evening. I was impressed by the way the author handled Zack’s situation. Although Zack initially blames himself for not satisfying his wife, everyone around him quickly points out that his wife’s sexual orientation wasn’t his fault (or hers) and everyone ends up friends. Miranda’s issues are given less attention - although she learns to accept her imperfections and open herself to love, at the beginning she seemed compulsive almost to the extent of OCD, and that really isn’t addressed. However, my main problem with the book was the ever-so-perfect town of Shelter Valley. Every few pages, a character gives a little lecture about how wonderful Shelter Valley is, how perfect the people are, how much better than the nasty city. I expected a comment that all the children were above average. It was way, way overdone and it became intrusive. There were also too many references to characters from previous books. These were fairly minor problems, but it made me a bit reluctant to pick up other books in this series.

What is it with romance novelists and small towns? I've met lots of romance novelists, and for the most part, they live where the rest of us do - some in small towns, but mostly in suburbs and cities and various other places. But the myth of the idyllic small town persists in romance. No place could be as perfect as the romance novel small town - everyone who lives there is virtuous, kind, and altogether above average. Maybe some readers like this, but I find it cloying, especially when the author keeps stuffing it down the reader's throat every few pages. It's a tribute to how good the rest of this book was that I graded it as highly as I did, because the endless hosannas to Shelter Valley made me want to gag after a while.