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...
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
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.)
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.)
Friday, July 11, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
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!
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!
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