Another book for the book club... my track record has not been good so far.
The Wicked Games of a Gentleman by Jillian Hunter
(2006, Regency Historical) 10/22/06
Grade: 2.5
Drake Boscastle’s only thought is the courtesan he plans to seduce - until he stumbles on down-on-her-luck companion Eloise Goodwin, who is trying to keep her charge in line until her wedding. As Eloise’s situation becomes increasingly desperate, Drake finds himself attracted despite himself - but is he looking for a mistress, or a wife?
An author who’s trying very hard to be Julia Quinn - and not doing a very good job. The “historical” background of this book is laughable - the hero and heroine run around (and fool around) like it’s the 21st century, with barely a thought about the consequences. The book is overstuffed with handsome rakes who are being groomed for books of their own. But when the author pauses for a moment to actually develop the characters, there are a few nice moments - I liked the heroine, and the hero wasn’t bad either - but it was hard to believe in either one of them in such a contrived book. Some moments of humor helped, but not enough to recommend it.
I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy. I don't worry about which year the waltz was introduced, or searching for mis-used words. But I expect a historical to have some kind of historical sensibility, a sense that the book features characters who have a passing acquaintance with the mores of the time. I can overlook a lot if the characters are really terrific - but when the rest of the book is only so-so, all the other errors are even more glaring.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Chemistry Is All
I've tried a couple of Emma Jensen's "humorous" Regencies, and didn't care for them much, but I'd heard that her single titles were more emotional.
Entwined by Emma Jensen
(1997, Regency Historical) 10/20/06
Grade: 4
Blinded in the war and embittered by the loss of his best friend, former spy Nathan Oriel is hiding from the world - until Isobel MacLeod climbs through his window. She’s trying to save her family from themselves, but finds herself drawn Nathan - and he sees her as a chance to return to the spy game in London, where no one knows he’s blind...
Well-written and sympathetic characters make this book enjoyable and easy to read, especially in the first half. Both Isobel and Nathan sparkle, especially when they’re sparring with each other. The plot is mostly a MacGuffin, and the resolution of the spy story doesn’t make a lot of sense (the last third of the book suffers as a result). But when the author focuses on the hero and heroine, the book shines - well worth reading.
I read the first two thirds of this book in one sitting, smiling the whole time. If an author can create great chemistry between the leads, the rest of the plot is almost superfluous. The book just flows. Too many authors think "chemistry" just equals "lust" but that's only a small part of it - it's the way the characters interact, the way their scenes together sparkle and flow - if an author can make me believe in the hero and heroine, then I'll buy any kind of silly spy plot that she wants to dream up.
Entwined by Emma Jensen
(1997, Regency Historical) 10/20/06
Grade: 4
Blinded in the war and embittered by the loss of his best friend, former spy Nathan Oriel is hiding from the world - until Isobel MacLeod climbs through his window. She’s trying to save her family from themselves, but finds herself drawn Nathan - and he sees her as a chance to return to the spy game in London, where no one knows he’s blind...
Well-written and sympathetic characters make this book enjoyable and easy to read, especially in the first half. Both Isobel and Nathan sparkle, especially when they’re sparring with each other. The plot is mostly a MacGuffin, and the resolution of the spy story doesn’t make a lot of sense (the last third of the book suffers as a result). But when the author focuses on the hero and heroine, the book shines - well worth reading.
I read the first two thirds of this book in one sitting, smiling the whole time. If an author can create great chemistry between the leads, the rest of the plot is almost superfluous. The book just flows. Too many authors think "chemistry" just equals "lust" but that's only a small part of it - it's the way the characters interact, the way their scenes together sparkle and flow - if an author can make me believe in the hero and heroine, then I'll buy any kind of silly spy plot that she wants to dream up.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Why Didn't It Work?
I'm always intrigued by books set in interesting and unusual times and places. So a book set in Restoration England didn't have to do much to attract my attention.
Puritan Bride by Anne O'Brien
(2004, Restoration England) 10/4/06
Grade: 3.5
Both the Oxenden and Harley families suffered during the fight between the Puritans and Royalists - but now that the King has been restored, it’s royalist Marcus, Viscount Marlbrooke, who is in control. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Katherine Harley, to ensure inheritance of the Priory - but can two lovers from opposite sides find happiness?
An interesting time period that I knew little about. I enjoyed learning more about Restoration politics - but I found the book easy to put down and a bit tedious. There was nothing obviously wrong with it (other than a ghost subplot that added nothing to the story) but I just got bored with the hero and heroine. The story was emotional and focused on the characters, but the relationship seemed to stagnate in the second half of the book, and there just wasn’t much to compel me to finish the book. (Maybe if I’d been in a different mood when I read it? Hard to say.)
I didn't hate this book - but I started reading it two weeks ago, and practically had to force myself to finish it. I can't explain exactly why, but it just didn't grab me, even though it seems like a book I would like. No chemistry, I guess.
Puritan Bride by Anne O'Brien
(2004, Restoration England) 10/4/06
Grade: 3.5
Both the Oxenden and Harley families suffered during the fight between the Puritans and Royalists - but now that the King has been restored, it’s royalist Marcus, Viscount Marlbrooke, who is in control. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Katherine Harley, to ensure inheritance of the Priory - but can two lovers from opposite sides find happiness?
An interesting time period that I knew little about. I enjoyed learning more about Restoration politics - but I found the book easy to put down and a bit tedious. There was nothing obviously wrong with it (other than a ghost subplot that added nothing to the story) but I just got bored with the hero and heroine. The story was emotional and focused on the characters, but the relationship seemed to stagnate in the second half of the book, and there just wasn’t much to compel me to finish the book. (Maybe if I’d been in a different mood when I read it? Hard to say.)
I didn't hate this book - but I started reading it two weeks ago, and practically had to force myself to finish it. I can't explain exactly why, but it just didn't grab me, even though it seems like a book I would like. No chemistry, I guess.
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