I've had this book in my TBR since it first came out! And I finally got around to reading it. (That's not a critism of Carlyle, I have lots of great books still in my TBR.)
My False Heart by Liz Carlyle
(1999, Regency Historical) 4/3/06
Grade: 4.5
When Elliot Armstrong, the marquis of Rannoch, gets lost in the rain, he finds himself in the warm and loving household of Evangeline, an immigrant artist with many family responsibilities. He finds himself wanting to belong there, to forget his unhappy and dissolute life in London. But Evangeline has her own secrets, and she’ll need his help to escape.
Although it’s confusing at the beginning, I found myself drawn in by this complex and compelling story. The characters are wonderful, very well drawn and believable. The pacing is a little bit off, and there are a lot of characters to keep track of, but overall, this book kept me turning the pages. It was like picking up a rich chocolate truffle after weeks of eating Hershey’s kisses.
My TBR is getting smaller, although very, very slowly...
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
A Familiar Story, Done Well
Another older series title - I owe this one to AAR, which recently reviewed it.
A Summer To Come Home by Dallas Schulze (HAR 368)
(1990, Contemporary Series) 4/1/06
Grade: 4
When Jake Quncannon comes back to Riverbend after twenty years, everyone in town is ready to assume the worst. Paige was just a child when he left, but now she’s grown up and is the respected town librarian. But there’s something about Jake that makes her want to take chances, even if it’s only for the summer.
The plot is familiar, but somehow, the author makes this familiar plot come alive. The characters are well drawn and the emotions are real. It doesn’t really matter that the background is familiar. In a longer book it might have become tired, but here, it works. It’s more like listening to an old song you haven’t heard in a while.
The opposite of my last read - the story may be familiar, but the execution makes it worth reading.
A Summer To Come Home by Dallas Schulze (HAR 368)
(1990, Contemporary Series) 4/1/06
Grade: 4
When Jake Quncannon comes back to Riverbend after twenty years, everyone in town is ready to assume the worst. Paige was just a child when he left, but now she’s grown up and is the respected town librarian. But there’s something about Jake that makes her want to take chances, even if it’s only for the summer.
The plot is familiar, but somehow, the author makes this familiar plot come alive. The characters are well drawn and the emotions are real. It doesn’t really matter that the background is familiar. In a longer book it might have become tired, but here, it works. It’s more like listening to an old song you haven’t heard in a while.
The opposite of my last read - the story may be familiar, but the execution makes it worth reading.
Something Different!
Sometimes those old series books can surprise you.
A Time To Sing by Kathryn Belmont (SIM 40)
(1984, Contemporary Series) 3/30/06
Grade: 4
When opera singer Marina is called on to fill in at the Met, she doesn’t realize who much her life will change. Her career begins to take off, and she begins a love affair with tenor Paolo Cortelli. But Marina takes her career, and her voice, more seriously than playboy Paolo, and Marina wonders if she can accept his attitude of “live for today”.
The first half of the this book was wonderful. I felt like I’d been thrown into the world of opera singing. Every detail seemed right, and I was enchanted by Paolo right along with Marina. The book faltered a bit in the second half, when the hero and heroine were separated, and the author depended a bit too much on the “other woman” as a villain. But still, it’s rare to read a book that does such a wonderful job in opening up a new world for the reader - the author gets a lot of credit for that.
How nice to read something unique!
A Time To Sing by Kathryn Belmont (SIM 40)
(1984, Contemporary Series) 3/30/06
Grade: 4
When opera singer Marina is called on to fill in at the Met, she doesn’t realize who much her life will change. Her career begins to take off, and she begins a love affair with tenor Paolo Cortelli. But Marina takes her career, and her voice, more seriously than playboy Paolo, and Marina wonders if she can accept his attitude of “live for today”.
The first half of the this book was wonderful. I felt like I’d been thrown into the world of opera singing. Every detail seemed right, and I was enchanted by Paolo right along with Marina. The book faltered a bit in the second half, when the hero and heroine were separated, and the author depended a bit too much on the “other woman” as a villain. But still, it’s rare to read a book that does such a wonderful job in opening up a new world for the reader - the author gets a lot of credit for that.
How nice to read something unique!
Some Series Titles
I brought a few older series books with me, since they're easy to toss when finished. I had mixed results - there were a few others that weren't even worth finishing.
Beginner's Luck by Dixie Browning (SD 517)
(1989, Contemporary Series) 3/29/06
Grade: 2.5
The hero is a scientist who is staying at his aunt’s cabin for a few weeks. He’s shy and awkward and can’t talk to women. One of his aunt’s friends shows up, and he awkwardly tries to help her, but ends up scaring her more than helping her. Finally, she recognizes his true intentions.
This is a character in search of a book. The hero in this book is a lot of fun. His well intentioned bumbling and awkward attempts to woo the heroine are somewhat charming. But there’s not enough plot to hold this book together, and the heroine doesn’t make much of an impression. There wasn’t enough to hold the story together, even in a very short book.
I have a weakness for scientist heroes, but I wish more of them were better written!
Beginner's Luck by Dixie Browning (SD 517)
(1989, Contemporary Series) 3/29/06
Grade: 2.5
The hero is a scientist who is staying at his aunt’s cabin for a few weeks. He’s shy and awkward and can’t talk to women. One of his aunt’s friends shows up, and he awkwardly tries to help her, but ends up scaring her more than helping her. Finally, she recognizes his true intentions.
This is a character in search of a book. The hero in this book is a lot of fun. His well intentioned bumbling and awkward attempts to woo the heroine are somewhat charming. But there’s not enough plot to hold this book together, and the heroine doesn’t make much of an impression. There wasn’t enough to hold the story together, even in a very short book.
I have a weakness for scientist heroes, but I wish more of them were better written!
And the Third
The third book in Lee's Victorian series:
Nightingale's Gate by Linda Francis Lee
(2000, Victorian) 3/28/06
Grade: 3
The third brother in this series, Lucas, owns a gentleman’s club. His family, especially his father, disapprove of his lifestyle, but when he’s accused of murdering a prostitute, they hire attorney Alice Kendall. A female attorney is rare at the time, but Alice is determined to win the case. But she’ll have to delve into family secrets.
This book is a better mystery than it is a romance. I wanted to find out who committed the murder, and the author takes us through a number of red herrings before revealing the killer. I liked the character of Alice, struggling to succeed in a man’s world. But some of the plot doesn’t make sense, particularly Alice’s involvement with Lucas. It seemed like it was thrown in to make the book “romantic”, but it seemed completely out of character and unprofessional, and the relationship seemed forced. It wasn’t romantic at all. If the author wanted to write a mystery, she should have just written one, instead of forcing a romantic subplot that didn’t make much sense.
I've loved several of Linda Francis Lee's books, but this series was increasingly disappointing.
Nightingale's Gate by Linda Francis Lee
(2000, Victorian) 3/28/06
Grade: 3
The third brother in this series, Lucas, owns a gentleman’s club. His family, especially his father, disapprove of his lifestyle, but when he’s accused of murdering a prostitute, they hire attorney Alice Kendall. A female attorney is rare at the time, but Alice is determined to win the case. But she’ll have to delve into family secrets.
This book is a better mystery than it is a romance. I wanted to find out who committed the murder, and the author takes us through a number of red herrings before revealing the killer. I liked the character of Alice, struggling to succeed in a man’s world. But some of the plot doesn’t make sense, particularly Alice’s involvement with Lucas. It seemed like it was thrown in to make the book “romantic”, but it seemed completely out of character and unprofessional, and the relationship seemed forced. It wasn’t romantic at all. If the author wanted to write a mystery, she should have just written one, instead of forcing a romantic subplot that didn’t make much sense.
I've loved several of Linda Francis Lee's books, but this series was increasingly disappointing.
Second in the Series
I continued with the second book in this series:
Swan's Grace by Linda Francis Lee
(2000, Victorian) 3/27/06
Grade: 3.5
Sophie is returning home to Boston after making a career in Europe as a cellist (albeit one who plays folk tunes instead of Bach). She hopes to see her childhood sweetheart, Grayson, but is shocked to find herself betrothed to him (courtesy of her disapproving father). Grayson still loves Sophie, but doesn’t know how to deal with the grown woman she’s become.
Another book with interesting characters that doesn’t quite work. I liked Sophie and Grayson, and their psychological backgrounds are quite interesting - every character in this trilogy has father issues - but something doesn’t quite add up. Is Grayson a chauvinistic product of his time, or a more free thinking man, willing to accept Sophie as she is? Sometimes he’s one, sometimes he’s the other, and there’s no explanation. I wanted to like this book, but it just felt unfinished.
Like most series, this one started to decline with the second book.
Swan's Grace by Linda Francis Lee
(2000, Victorian) 3/27/06
Grade: 3.5
Sophie is returning home to Boston after making a career in Europe as a cellist (albeit one who plays folk tunes instead of Bach). She hopes to see her childhood sweetheart, Grayson, but is shocked to find herself betrothed to him (courtesy of her disapproving father). Grayson still loves Sophie, but doesn’t know how to deal with the grown woman she’s become.
Another book with interesting characters that doesn’t quite work. I liked Sophie and Grayson, and their psychological backgrounds are quite interesting - every character in this trilogy has father issues - but something doesn’t quite add up. Is Grayson a chauvinistic product of his time, or a more free thinking man, willing to accept Sophie as she is? Sometimes he’s one, sometimes he’s the other, and there’s no explanation. I wanted to like this book, but it just felt unfinished.
Like most series, this one started to decline with the second book.
Always Love Those Tortured Heroes
I went on vacation a couple of weeks ago, which always means a lot of reading! I finally have some new books to add.
Dove's Way by Linda Francis Lee
(2000, Victorian) 3/26/06
Grade: 4
Finnea has spent her life in Africa, and is now returning to Boston to be reunited with her mother. She has no idea how to deal with Boston society. She is helped, reluctantly, by Matthew, scarred and troubled, who she originally met in Africa. Even though they’re both reluctant to let down their guards, they find healing with each other.
This book could have been so much better. The characters were wonderful, but the book seemed underwritten - as if parts were missing out of it. It seemed like the reader was expected to fill in the blanks. There are some wonderful scenes, especially involving the hero’s daughter and Finnea’s grief over her own child. The author does a good job at exploring the psychological backgrounds of the characters, and I always love a good wounded hero and heroine. But the individual pieces just don’t add up to a focused story. This isn’t her best book, but it’s worth reading.
Dove's Way by Linda Francis Lee
(2000, Victorian) 3/26/06
Grade: 4
Finnea has spent her life in Africa, and is now returning to Boston to be reunited with her mother. She has no idea how to deal with Boston society. She is helped, reluctantly, by Matthew, scarred and troubled, who she originally met in Africa. Even though they’re both reluctant to let down their guards, they find healing with each other.
This book could have been so much better. The characters were wonderful, but the book seemed underwritten - as if parts were missing out of it. It seemed like the reader was expected to fill in the blanks. There are some wonderful scenes, especially involving the hero’s daughter and Finnea’s grief over her own child. The author does a good job at exploring the psychological backgrounds of the characters, and I always love a good wounded hero and heroine. But the individual pieces just don’t add up to a focused story. This isn’t her best book, but it’s worth reading.
Catching Up
I've been woefully behind in keeping up with this blog, mostly because I haven't been reading very much! I read this J.D. Robb book back in January, but haven't read much of anything since then.
Memory in Death by J.D. Robb
(2006, Suspense) 1/22/06
Grade: 3.5
Eve is paid a visit by an unwelcome visitor from the past - her foster mother, who abused her as a child. Soon, she turns up dead, and Eve is determined to find the truth - in part because she doesn’t care about the victim and might have wanted her dead herself.
Although it has some fun parts about Christmas, this one didn’t do much for me, for some reason. The mystery part of it just wasn’t that interesting, and I had no trouble figuring out who and what and why. There were some nice character moments for Eve and Peabody (always welcome!) and some between Eve and Mira, but I found it surprisingly easy to put down.
I always find the Robb books readable, but the last couple haven't done a lot for me.
Memory in Death by J.D. Robb
(2006, Suspense) 1/22/06
Grade: 3.5
Eve is paid a visit by an unwelcome visitor from the past - her foster mother, who abused her as a child. Soon, she turns up dead, and Eve is determined to find the truth - in part because she doesn’t care about the victim and might have wanted her dead herself.
Although it has some fun parts about Christmas, this one didn’t do much for me, for some reason. The mystery part of it just wasn’t that interesting, and I had no trouble figuring out who and what and why. There were some nice character moments for Eve and Peabody (always welcome!) and some between Eve and Mira, but I found it surprisingly easy to put down.
I always find the Robb books readable, but the last couple haven't done a lot for me.
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