Although I've been reading (some) over the past couple of months, I've been very lax in keeping up this blog. (Is anyone really reading it?) So I'm posting a bunch of reviews at once, and I'll try to do better from now on.
Looking back on my last few reads, I feel like such a curmudgeon. Really, I don't hate romance - I want to find a great book, I just haven't found one in a while.
Her Perfect Life by Vicki Hinze
(2006, Contemporary) 1/20/07
Grade: 3
After six years as a POW in Iraq, Katie Slater returns home, to find everything changed. Her husband has remarried, her children are strangers, and her only ally is her best friend, fellow fighter pilot C.D. Quade. How can she make a new life for herself, reconnect with her children, and come to terms with her experiences as a prisoner?
The first half of this book was emotional and compelling. Katie’s struggle to deal with her memories, while finding a way back to her children and family, was heart wrenching. But in the second half, the emotions started to feel false - more “after school special” than real life. Everything turns out perfectly for Katie - her children quickly fall into her arms, her best friend is conveniently carrying a torch for her, and even her PTSD is limited to a few minor quirks. It was nice to see the heroine succeed, but the sugar was piled on with a trowel in the last part of the book.
I kind of feel like the wicked witch, disliking such a nice, well-intentioned book. But nice is not enough! (I should turn that into a t-shirt...)
Sunday, January 21, 2007
One Book Too Many
Although I've never been a huge fan of Nora Roberts, I have a few of her books on my keeper shelf. The last of her books that I really loved were the Chesapeake books - I gave two of them a grade of 5, which is almost unprecedented for me. Could a sequel to this beloved series be anything but a disappointment?
Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
(2002, Contemporary) 1/4/07
Grade: 2.5
In the final book in the Chesapeake series, Nora Roberts tells the story of Seth, the abandoned boy who brought the brothers together in the previous books. Now, Seth is an accomplished artist, who has come home after years in Europe. He’s running from his past - but can he find happiness with flower shop owner Dru Banks, who has a past of her own?
Although Roberts is always readable, this was a tedious book. It seemed like nothing but “the minor problems of the pretty people”. Everyone in the book is practically perfect, which gets boring after a while. The book spends a lot of time visiting with all the characters from the previous books. They’re all happy, wise and very, very nice, of course. Seth and Dru have a few minor problems, but they seem like “much ado about nothing”, especially in the face of all that niceness. I enjoyed the previous books in this series, but this one is more like “old home week” than a real story. Too bad, because I really loved the previous books.
Whenever anyone asks me about the pitfalls of writing connected romances, I'll point to this book. By the time you get to the final book in the series, all the characters are so beloved that you can't do anything but overload on saccharine niceness.
Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
(2002, Contemporary) 1/4/07
Grade: 2.5
In the final book in the Chesapeake series, Nora Roberts tells the story of Seth, the abandoned boy who brought the brothers together in the previous books. Now, Seth is an accomplished artist, who has come home after years in Europe. He’s running from his past - but can he find happiness with flower shop owner Dru Banks, who has a past of her own?
Although Roberts is always readable, this was a tedious book. It seemed like nothing but “the minor problems of the pretty people”. Everyone in the book is practically perfect, which gets boring after a while. The book spends a lot of time visiting with all the characters from the previous books. They’re all happy, wise and very, very nice, of course. Seth and Dru have a few minor problems, but they seem like “much ado about nothing”, especially in the face of all that niceness. I enjoyed the previous books in this series, but this one is more like “old home week” than a real story. Too bad, because I really loved the previous books.
Whenever anyone asks me about the pitfalls of writing connected romances, I'll point to this book. By the time you get to the final book in the series, all the characters are so beloved that you can't do anything but overload on saccharine niceness.
Another Day In Death
Although I'm not a big romantic suspense fan, I never miss an installment of the J.D. Robb "In Death" series.
Born In Death by J.D. Robb
(2006, Mystery/Suspense) 12/6/06
Grade: 3.5
Another Eve and Roarke mystery. Eve is investigating the deaths of two accountants, who may have stumbled across something shady at work. In the meantime, Mavis is about to give birth, and Eve is warily acting as a birthing coach and hosting a baby shower. But when one of Mavis’s pregnant friends disappears, will Eve save the day?
I’m not sure I can give this a proper review, since I read it at a very stressful time in my life. But it’s a decent entry in the “in Death” series. The original case about the accountants was well constructed. I appreciated the way the murder victims were humanized - they weren’t just anonymous bodies. And of course, the subplot about Mavis and her pregnancy was a lot of fun, especially the baby shower. But having the second mystery link in to the original case seemed too convenient, too coincidental. Usually Nora Roberts writes tighter mystery plots in her J.D. Robb books.
I like J.D. Robb's books best when she writes a really tight mystery - so many romance authors write pathetic mystery plots in their RS novels, but Robb usually does better. This one relied too much on a preposterous coincidence.
Born In Death by J.D. Robb
(2006, Mystery/Suspense) 12/6/06
Grade: 3.5
Another Eve and Roarke mystery. Eve is investigating the deaths of two accountants, who may have stumbled across something shady at work. In the meantime, Mavis is about to give birth, and Eve is warily acting as a birthing coach and hosting a baby shower. But when one of Mavis’s pregnant friends disappears, will Eve save the day?
I’m not sure I can give this a proper review, since I read it at a very stressful time in my life. But it’s a decent entry in the “in Death” series. The original case about the accountants was well constructed. I appreciated the way the murder victims were humanized - they weren’t just anonymous bodies. And of course, the subplot about Mavis and her pregnancy was a lot of fun, especially the baby shower. But having the second mystery link in to the original case seemed too convenient, too coincidental. Usually Nora Roberts writes tighter mystery plots in her J.D. Robb books.
I like J.D. Robb's books best when she writes a really tight mystery - so many romance authors write pathetic mystery plots in their RS novels, but Robb usually does better. This one relied too much on a preposterous coincidence.
Western Romance
Even though this book wasn't everything I'd hoped, I'm still glad to see some genuine Western romances - and Native American characters who are portrayed as three dimensional people.
Twin Willows by Kay Cornelius
(1999, Western) 12/31/06
Grade: 4
When Delaware Indian Silverwillow dies in childbirth, she leaves behind twin girls - Anna, who ends up in a Philadelphia finishing school, and Willow, who lives in a Shawnee village with an adopted mother. Neither knows the other exists, until their paths cross again, in the Kentucky wilderness. Will both sisters be able to find love and happiness?
Although it’s a compelling story about Indians and settlers in the 18th century, unfortunately it lacked romance, since the two main couples spent most of the story separated. The author has a smooth writing style that made the book easy to read, and I wanted to learn more about the main characters. She did especially well in depicting the Indian characters, without turning the whites into one-dimensional villains. But the main story consisted of a lot of “running around” and it got frustrating after a while.
This one gets points for trying something different, even if it wasn't completely successful.
Twin Willows by Kay Cornelius
(1999, Western) 12/31/06
Grade: 4
When Delaware Indian Silverwillow dies in childbirth, she leaves behind twin girls - Anna, who ends up in a Philadelphia finishing school, and Willow, who lives in a Shawnee village with an adopted mother. Neither knows the other exists, until their paths cross again, in the Kentucky wilderness. Will both sisters be able to find love and happiness?
Although it’s a compelling story about Indians and settlers in the 18th century, unfortunately it lacked romance, since the two main couples spent most of the story separated. The author has a smooth writing style that made the book easy to read, and I wanted to learn more about the main characters. She did especially well in depicting the Indian characters, without turning the whites into one-dimensional villains. But the main story consisted of a lot of “running around” and it got frustrating after a while.
This one gets points for trying something different, even if it wasn't completely successful.
Out of Order
I've never felt compelled to read series in order, but I guess it's a little weird to read the first book last.
Open Secret by Janice Kay Johnson
(2006, Contemporary Series) 12/28/06
Grade: 3.5
Although Carrie always felt out-of-place in her family, she never dreamed she was adopted. But when private investigator Mark Kinkaid shows up at her doorstep, she’s forced to confront the truth. But is her attraction to Mark just a matter of convenience... or something more?
The first in Johnson’s series, this is probably the weakest of the trilogy, but still, it’s well worth reading. Johnson manages to avoid (or confront) many of the “adoption story” cliches, and deal with the push-pull emotions of an adoptee with two families. The romance is not as compelling here, although the characters are likeable and well paired, but it takes a back seat to the adoption story. The whole series is well written and easy to read, and well worth reading.
I'm very impressed by Janice Kay Johnson (who I've read a few times before). She writes a lot of baby books, but I'm hoping to find some more gems in her backlist.
Open Secret by Janice Kay Johnson
(2006, Contemporary Series) 12/28/06
Grade: 3.5
Although Carrie always felt out-of-place in her family, she never dreamed she was adopted. But when private investigator Mark Kinkaid shows up at her doorstep, she’s forced to confront the truth. But is her attraction to Mark just a matter of convenience... or something more?
The first in Johnson’s series, this is probably the weakest of the trilogy, but still, it’s well worth reading. Johnson manages to avoid (or confront) many of the “adoption story” cliches, and deal with the push-pull emotions of an adoptee with two families. The romance is not as compelling here, although the characters are likeable and well paired, but it takes a back seat to the adoption story. The whole series is well written and easy to read, and well worth reading.
I'm very impressed by Janice Kay Johnson (who I've read a few times before). She writes a lot of baby books, but I'm hoping to find some more gems in her backlist.
Gothic Revival?
I seem to be reading a lot of gothic-esque books these days. I guess it's become trendy (even though this book is from 1997). But some authors do it better than others...
Annalise by Libby Sydes
(1997, Georgian) 11/13/06
Grade: 3
After the deaths of her other children, Eleanor, the Duchess of Marchfield, sends for her last remaining son, imprisoned in an insane asylum for 6 years. Despite his insanity, she will marry him off to a naive village girl and hope that he produces an heir. But he’s not as insane as his keepers believed - and the village girl isn’t as naive as Eleanor might want.
It started off as an intriguing gothic, in the style of Victoria Holt. Bryson’s struggle to regain his sanity was poignant and Annalise’s strength was admirable as well. But the I hate you - I love you - I hate you - I love you dance went on far, far too long. (At page 300 out of 375, Annalise was still fighting Bryson every time he touched her, and he was still consumed with “animal lust”.) And then both characters turned on a dime, and were devotedly in love, as a convoluted French Illuminati plot threw them together. It was just too much. If Annalise and Bryson had developed their relationship earlier in the story, the book would have worked a lot better.
I loved Libby Sydes earlier book, Until Spring. This one felt... overcooked.
Annalise by Libby Sydes
(1997, Georgian) 11/13/06
Grade: 3
After the deaths of her other children, Eleanor, the Duchess of Marchfield, sends for her last remaining son, imprisoned in an insane asylum for 6 years. Despite his insanity, she will marry him off to a naive village girl and hope that he produces an heir. But he’s not as insane as his keepers believed - and the village girl isn’t as naive as Eleanor might want.
It started off as an intriguing gothic, in the style of Victoria Holt. Bryson’s struggle to regain his sanity was poignant and Annalise’s strength was admirable as well. But the I hate you - I love you - I hate you - I love you dance went on far, far too long. (At page 300 out of 375, Annalise was still fighting Bryson every time he touched her, and he was still consumed with “animal lust”.) And then both characters turned on a dime, and were devotedly in love, as a convoluted French Illuminati plot threw them together. It was just too much. If Annalise and Bryson had developed their relationship earlier in the story, the book would have worked a lot better.
I loved Libby Sydes earlier book, Until Spring. This one felt... overcooked.
Sometimes Sweet Is Good
The third in Janice Kay Johnson's trilogy about a brother and two sisters who were separated after their parents' died. Hard to believe I'd buy a book titled "Kids By Christmas" but everyone needs a little sweet sometimes!
Kids By Christmas by Janice Kay Johnson
(2006, Contemporary Series) 11/11/06
Grade: 4
Suzanne has always hoped to adopt a child, maybe to make up for failing her sister and brother, separated from her at the age of six. But she didn’t expect a troubled brother and sister, who aren’t eager for a new mother. And then there’s her neighbor, Tom, who always seemed so perfect - now she’s beginning to see the real man under the neatnik facade.
I bought this book because it’s the sequel to Lost Cause, a wonderfully angsty character study. This is a more traditional story - Mom finds love with kids and hunky neighbor. But sometimes it’s nice to read something warm and fuzzy, especially at Christmas. The author manages to bring these characters to life, and even though they’re unrealistically nice, they seem like real people. (Even if every problem is solved with a heartfelt talk and sharing of emotions...) I especially liked Tom, who’s the ultimate “nice guy”, but fun and appealing too. A pleasant end to this trilogy.
Kids By Christmas by Janice Kay Johnson
(2006, Contemporary Series) 11/11/06
Grade: 4
Suzanne has always hoped to adopt a child, maybe to make up for failing her sister and brother, separated from her at the age of six. But she didn’t expect a troubled brother and sister, who aren’t eager for a new mother. And then there’s her neighbor, Tom, who always seemed so perfect - now she’s beginning to see the real man under the neatnik facade.
I bought this book because it’s the sequel to Lost Cause, a wonderfully angsty character study. This is a more traditional story - Mom finds love with kids and hunky neighbor. But sometimes it’s nice to read something warm and fuzzy, especially at Christmas. The author manages to bring these characters to life, and even though they’re unrealistically nice, they seem like real people. (Even if every problem is solved with a heartfelt talk and sharing of emotions...) I especially liked Tom, who’s the ultimate “nice guy”, but fun and appealing too. A pleasant end to this trilogy.
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