I try to keep a record of all the books I read, as long as I make it through at least half the book. (Maybe I should keep a record of all the books I start and toss within the first couple of chapters, but it's just too depressing.) It's a joy to write about a book that I loved - and it's even fun to write about a book that had noteable flaws. But when a book is just blah... what can you say?
Undiscovered Hero by Stephanie Doyle (SIM 792)
(1997, Contemporary Series) 8/9/07
Grade: 3
Trying to save a student from a gang initiation, teacher Delany Sheridan ends up in the hospital, unsure if she’ll ever walk again. The only bright spot in her life is Zach Montgomery, the man who saved her - or did he? Zach is actually an undercover DEA agent, but he’s not sure he can live with his guilt over Delany’s injuries, and build a life with her.
Surprisingly boring. This book has all the elements that I like - a tortured hero, tortured heroine, recovery from an illness, etc. - but I just couldn’t get into it for some reason. I could barely force myself to finish (and I did a lot of skimming toward the end.) I never really understood why these two characters fell in love in the first place, other than proximity. It’s always difficult to explain why some books fall flat despite having all the right “pieces”, but this one definitely fell into that category. Nothing terribly bad about it, it was just dull.
Blah books are one reason I don't write official "book reviews" any more. I used to write reviews for the now-defunct Bookbug site, and it was so difficult to try and explain why I found a book boring. I spent more time trying to write about the blah books than I did writing about the good ones, and it was just too frustrating.
Monday, August 13, 2007
And A New Version
A cheer of thanks for Harlequin Historical. Although their quality is somewhat spotty, I have to give a lot of credit to Harlequin for continuing to publish Harlequin Historicals - and keeping alive the Regency, the Western, and many other types of books that have been lost in the sea of fluffy Regency-set historicals and paranormals that fill the shelves these days.
The Earl's Prize by Nicola Cornick
(2002, Regency) 8/9/07
Grade: 4
After her father ruined the family with his gambling, Mary expected a future of genteel poverty. She’s intrigued by her brother’s friend Joss, the Earl of Tallent, despite his scandalous reputation. But when she wins a fortune in the lottery, her life changes overnight - but will it change her character as well? Can she be happy with a supposed gambler like Joss?
A delightful book. The characters had that ineffable “something” that made them a joy to read about - I found myself smiling all through the second half, just because I was so glad they found each other. The storyline wasn’t particularly new - winning money in a lottery was new but not that different from inheriting from a relative - but it was the well-drawn and sympathetic characters that made the story worth reading.
It's hard to explain why this book was so appealing, but something about it just made it a joy to read. I got the same feeling from the first half of Nicola Cornick's recent book, Deceived (which unfortunately, fell apart in the last half.) I enjoyed The Earl's Prize so much that I ran out today and bought the sequel.
The Earl's Prize by Nicola Cornick
(2002, Regency) 8/9/07
Grade: 4
After her father ruined the family with his gambling, Mary expected a future of genteel poverty. She’s intrigued by her brother’s friend Joss, the Earl of Tallent, despite his scandalous reputation. But when she wins a fortune in the lottery, her life changes overnight - but will it change her character as well? Can she be happy with a supposed gambler like Joss?
A delightful book. The characters had that ineffable “something” that made them a joy to read about - I found myself smiling all through the second half, just because I was so glad they found each other. The storyline wasn’t particularly new - winning money in a lottery was new but not that different from inheriting from a relative - but it was the well-drawn and sympathetic characters that made the story worth reading.
It's hard to explain why this book was so appealing, but something about it just made it a joy to read. I got the same feeling from the first half of Nicola Cornick's recent book, Deceived (which unfortunately, fell apart in the last half.) I enjoyed The Earl's Prize so much that I ran out today and bought the sequel.
More Blasts From The Past
Most Regency lovers cut their teeth on Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. Although I'm a huge fan of Regencies, I started out reading more modern authors like Mary Balogh and Mary Jo Putney - authors that focus primarily on the emotions of the hero and heroine, even though they're writing within the Regency format. I sometimes find it hard to read older Regencies, because they don't focus on the hero and heroine's emotions - I've never been able to read Heyer, for example, because I find her characters too remote and unemotional. I want more insight into the characters' hearts.
The Regencies from the early 1980's are a bit of a hybrid. Some of them are the traditional "comedies of manners" while others are beginning to develop the emotionalism of later authors.
The Lady Next Door by Elizabeth Neff Walker
(1981, Georgian) 8/8/07
Grade: 3.5
Marianne Findlay has mostly retired from York society, after a scandal in her past. She lives quietly with her aunt and takes in boarders. But when the Earl of Latteridge takes residence next door, Marianne finds her life turned upside-down, even though he’s the son of the woman who caused her disgrace years before.
A surprisingly enjoyable “slice of life” story. It was interesting to read a book in the Regency “style” that was set in the earlier Georgian period. (After hundreds of books about Empire dresses and the ton, it was fun to read about lace cuffs, coffee houses and wigs.) This isn’t exactly a typical romance - the relationship between Marianne and Pressington is only part of the story, and we barely get a glimpse of their emotions. They’re one pair in a large set of secondary characters. But the author does a great job in depicting all of the secondary charcters with great vividness, and bringing them to life in an entertaining way. The second half of the book was less enjoyable than the first half - once all the wheels had been set in motion, it was clear how everything would play out and it was just a question of watching all the couples come together - but the well written characters made it worth reading.
(I include this as a "Regency" because it's written in the same style and format as the traditional Regency - just set a few years earlier.)
The American Duchess by Joan Wolf
(1982, Regency) 8/10/07
Grade: 4
When American Tracy Bodmin arrives in England, she has no intention of staying. She’s an American and a republican, through and through! But her dying father wants her to marry the Duke of Hastings, and she’s not indifferent to His Grace either. But it’s only after they’re married that she realizes just how much her American life has changed...
A well written and intriguing Regency. I was a little bit skeptical of Tracy’s super-Americanism (the US in 1800 wasn’t as classless as Tracy insists, and she’s also lived a privileged life) but the author shows Tracy’s gradual understanding of her husband’s position and responsibilities. She also depics Adrian as a truly dukely Duke. I wasn’t sure how to grade this book, because it didn’t have the emotional resonance of other Regencies, and there was a misunderstanding that marred the last section. But it was very readable, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Although it's hard to draw a bright line between the "Regency" and the "Regency Historical", there's definitely something different about a book like The American Duchess and the typical Regency-set historical that you find on the shelves today. Although Harlequin Historical is keeping the Regency alive to some extent, I think the romance world has lost something valuable with the demise of the Regency.
The Regencies from the early 1980's are a bit of a hybrid. Some of them are the traditional "comedies of manners" while others are beginning to develop the emotionalism of later authors.
The Lady Next Door by Elizabeth Neff Walker
(1981, Georgian) 8/8/07
Grade: 3.5
Marianne Findlay has mostly retired from York society, after a scandal in her past. She lives quietly with her aunt and takes in boarders. But when the Earl of Latteridge takes residence next door, Marianne finds her life turned upside-down, even though he’s the son of the woman who caused her disgrace years before.
A surprisingly enjoyable “slice of life” story. It was interesting to read a book in the Regency “style” that was set in the earlier Georgian period. (After hundreds of books about Empire dresses and the ton, it was fun to read about lace cuffs, coffee houses and wigs.) This isn’t exactly a typical romance - the relationship between Marianne and Pressington is only part of the story, and we barely get a glimpse of their emotions. They’re one pair in a large set of secondary characters. But the author does a great job in depicting all of the secondary charcters with great vividness, and bringing them to life in an entertaining way. The second half of the book was less enjoyable than the first half - once all the wheels had been set in motion, it was clear how everything would play out and it was just a question of watching all the couples come together - but the well written characters made it worth reading.
(I include this as a "Regency" because it's written in the same style and format as the traditional Regency - just set a few years earlier.)
The American Duchess by Joan Wolf
(1982, Regency) 8/10/07
Grade: 4
When American Tracy Bodmin arrives in England, she has no intention of staying. She’s an American and a republican, through and through! But her dying father wants her to marry the Duke of Hastings, and she’s not indifferent to His Grace either. But it’s only after they’re married that she realizes just how much her American life has changed...
A well written and intriguing Regency. I was a little bit skeptical of Tracy’s super-Americanism (the US in 1800 wasn’t as classless as Tracy insists, and she’s also lived a privileged life) but the author shows Tracy’s gradual understanding of her husband’s position and responsibilities. She also depics Adrian as a truly dukely Duke. I wasn’t sure how to grade this book, because it didn’t have the emotional resonance of other Regencies, and there was a misunderstanding that marred the last section. But it was very readable, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Although it's hard to draw a bright line between the "Regency" and the "Regency Historical", there's definitely something different about a book like The American Duchess and the typical Regency-set historical that you find on the shelves today. Although Harlequin Historical is keeping the Regency alive to some extent, I think the romance world has lost something valuable with the demise of the Regency.
Books From The Vault
I had some fun, digging out some old relics from my TBR "pile". (Actually, 28 boxes.) Some of my finds were unsuccessful, but I found some interesting books, hiding in the depths of my TBR. First, two Hollywood books:
I Know My Love by Vivian Connolly (THH 10)
(1983, Contemporary Series) 8/7/07
Grade: 3.5
Three years after their impulsive marriage, Irish actor Brian and American up-and-comer Katie seem to have the perfect marriage. But as Katie’s career takes off (and takes her to Hollywood), they both begin to wonder if their marriage can take the strain of separations and doubt, especially as Katie’s career begins to eclipse Brian’s.
The story was somewhat predictable (cue A Star Is Born) but the author did an excellent job at showing the hero and heroine as a real married couple - a lot of “marriage in trouble” books just focus on the problems and don’t ever show their underlying connection. Brian and Katie have an underlying rapport (as well as sexual atttraction) that makes the reader believe in them. She also makes their love of acting seem real, instead of the unreal “romance novel actors” that you often see in books. Their problems aren’t huge, but the author shows how the small things begin to add up and take them apart from each other. Even though the story was somewhat predictable, it’s one of the stronger entries in this series line (which never really found its voice, unfortuately).
Fantasies by Pamela Wallace (SIM 24)
(1983, Contemporary Series) 8/8/07
Grade: 4.5
Devon O’Neill has spent her career working her way up the ladder as a producer, and now she’s been named the head of UFS studios. Although it’s a dream come true, she quickly runs into problems, especially when it comes to producer Spencer Tait. Although she’s attracted to him and admires his work, her position means she can’t openly admit her feelings.
An intriguing and seemingly realistic view of life in Hollywood. Although Devon is perhaps a bit young for her job, the author shows how she worked her way up and her skills at managing the studio. I found both characters extremely well written and real. The book deals with some interesting issues about women in the workplace, becoming your friends’ boss, and balancing career and love - all things that are just as relevant today as they were in 1983. I was afraid the relationship would turn into a typical “I hate you - I love you” story, but Wallace sidesteps that romance cliche and builds a relationship built on mutual respect - how refreshing! She also deals head-on with the career vs. family problem, and doesn’t automatically have the heroine choose love while throwing aside everything else. All in all, this was a wonderful surprise - I wasn’t expecting such a mature, satisfying book, but I’m so glad I found it!
What fun to find buried treasure from the early 80's. One thing that always amuses me, though. Whenever romance writers have their characters appear in movies, they always appear in sweeping historical epics. This always seems like wishful thinking more than reality - the kind of movies that romance writers think Hollywood should produce, rather than what they really do. Not that historical epics don't come out every now and then, but if you based your view of the movies on romance novels, you'd think they were the most popular films in Hollywood.
I Know My Love by Vivian Connolly (THH 10)
(1983, Contemporary Series) 8/7/07
Grade: 3.5
Three years after their impulsive marriage, Irish actor Brian and American up-and-comer Katie seem to have the perfect marriage. But as Katie’s career takes off (and takes her to Hollywood), they both begin to wonder if their marriage can take the strain of separations and doubt, especially as Katie’s career begins to eclipse Brian’s.
The story was somewhat predictable (cue A Star Is Born) but the author did an excellent job at showing the hero and heroine as a real married couple - a lot of “marriage in trouble” books just focus on the problems and don’t ever show their underlying connection. Brian and Katie have an underlying rapport (as well as sexual atttraction) that makes the reader believe in them. She also makes their love of acting seem real, instead of the unreal “romance novel actors” that you often see in books. Their problems aren’t huge, but the author shows how the small things begin to add up and take them apart from each other. Even though the story was somewhat predictable, it’s one of the stronger entries in this series line (which never really found its voice, unfortuately).
Fantasies by Pamela Wallace (SIM 24)
(1983, Contemporary Series) 8/8/07
Grade: 4.5
Devon O’Neill has spent her career working her way up the ladder as a producer, and now she’s been named the head of UFS studios. Although it’s a dream come true, she quickly runs into problems, especially when it comes to producer Spencer Tait. Although she’s attracted to him and admires his work, her position means she can’t openly admit her feelings.
An intriguing and seemingly realistic view of life in Hollywood. Although Devon is perhaps a bit young for her job, the author shows how she worked her way up and her skills at managing the studio. I found both characters extremely well written and real. The book deals with some interesting issues about women in the workplace, becoming your friends’ boss, and balancing career and love - all things that are just as relevant today as they were in 1983. I was afraid the relationship would turn into a typical “I hate you - I love you” story, but Wallace sidesteps that romance cliche and builds a relationship built on mutual respect - how refreshing! She also deals head-on with the career vs. family problem, and doesn’t automatically have the heroine choose love while throwing aside everything else. All in all, this was a wonderful surprise - I wasn’t expecting such a mature, satisfying book, but I’m so glad I found it!
What fun to find buried treasure from the early 80's. One thing that always amuses me, though. Whenever romance writers have their characters appear in movies, they always appear in sweeping historical epics. This always seems like wishful thinking more than reality - the kind of movies that romance writers think Hollywood should produce, rather than what they really do. Not that historical epics don't come out every now and then, but if you based your view of the movies on romance novels, you'd think they were the most popular films in Hollywood.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Hazards of the Love Triangle
I'm always wary of "love triangle" books. More often than not, I end up sympathizing with the "wrong person" in the triangle and end up disappointed when the heroine ends up with the "other guy". This book wasn't a typical romance love triangle story, but I had the same experience - I wanted the heroine to end up with the wrong hero.
Broken by Megan Hart
(2007, Contemporary) 7/31/07
Grade: 3
Sadie lives vicariously through Joe and his sexual conquests. Every month she meets him for lunch, and imagines that she’s the one having uninhibited sex with a stranger. In real life, Sadie is struggling to hold things together, taking care of her quadriplegic husband and dealing with their changed relationship. Her fantasies with Joe are her only outlet.
Megan Hart is an excellent writer, but I find her books extremely frustrating. The endless sex scenes may be inventive, but I didn’t find them all that interesting, and in this book, I didn’t even think they added to the character development. They just seemed “titillating”. I was about to give up on the book, when I finally got to the scenes between Sadie and her husband Adam. These were a revelation - tender, honest, aching and even brutal - but real and touching, in a way the sex scenes were not. I ended up reading the book for the interludes between Sadie and Adam. Unfortunately, unlike Dirty, this book was not really about the relationship between Sadie and Adam. Adam is just an obstacle to be overcome. (I was especially annoyed that - spoiler alert - Adam’s death seemed to be the result of Sadie taking time for her own life and emotional needs.) I came away frustrated, because for me, the emotional heart of the book had nothing to do with Joe, but he was the focus of the “happy ending”.
I don't know what Megan Hart's intentions are. Maybe she likes writing sex scenes, and character development is only secondary for her. But I can't help thinking, when I read her books, that she's a victim of the "erotica craze". Her books would be so much better if she wasn't so focused on how many ways her characters can f***, and used some of the "sex scene page count" to explore other aspects of their lives. The scenes with Adam and Sadie were so good, they took my breath away. She was addressing a situation that I've rarely seen addressed in other books, and without the gauzy unreality that you find in most romances with disabled characters. If that part of the story had been in the forefront, I would have given this book a 5. But she kept shifting away, to more blah scenes of boinking. Why, why, why?
Broken by Megan Hart
(2007, Contemporary) 7/31/07
Grade: 3
Sadie lives vicariously through Joe and his sexual conquests. Every month she meets him for lunch, and imagines that she’s the one having uninhibited sex with a stranger. In real life, Sadie is struggling to hold things together, taking care of her quadriplegic husband and dealing with their changed relationship. Her fantasies with Joe are her only outlet.
Megan Hart is an excellent writer, but I find her books extremely frustrating. The endless sex scenes may be inventive, but I didn’t find them all that interesting, and in this book, I didn’t even think they added to the character development. They just seemed “titillating”. I was about to give up on the book, when I finally got to the scenes between Sadie and her husband Adam. These were a revelation - tender, honest, aching and even brutal - but real and touching, in a way the sex scenes were not. I ended up reading the book for the interludes between Sadie and Adam. Unfortunately, unlike Dirty, this book was not really about the relationship between Sadie and Adam. Adam is just an obstacle to be overcome. (I was especially annoyed that - spoiler alert - Adam’s death seemed to be the result of Sadie taking time for her own life and emotional needs.) I came away frustrated, because for me, the emotional heart of the book had nothing to do with Joe, but he was the focus of the “happy ending”.
I don't know what Megan Hart's intentions are. Maybe she likes writing sex scenes, and character development is only secondary for her. But I can't help thinking, when I read her books, that she's a victim of the "erotica craze". Her books would be so much better if she wasn't so focused on how many ways her characters can f***, and used some of the "sex scene page count" to explore other aspects of their lives. The scenes with Adam and Sadie were so good, they took my breath away. She was addressing a situation that I've rarely seen addressed in other books, and without the gauzy unreality that you find in most romances with disabled characters. If that part of the story had been in the forefront, I would have given this book a 5. But she kept shifting away, to more blah scenes of boinking. Why, why, why?
Not Quite Enough
I was casting around for something to read, and I realized that I never read one of Mary Balogh's last Regencies, A Christmas Bride. Surprising, since it's the sequel to one of my all-time favorite books, A Precious Jewel. So I reread two of the prequels - The Ideal Wife and A Precious Jewel, and then finally read A Christmas Bride.
I read The Ideal Wife many years ago, so I had vague memories of it. The opening setup is almost identical to The Temporary Wife. I know several people who prefer The Ideal Wife, but for me, it doesn't have the emotional depth of The Temporary Wife. (Perhaps it's unfair to compare, but it's hard not to, when the situations are so similar.) It's a fine book, but not something I'd turn to again and again, the way I do with some of Balogh's books.
A Precious Jewel was lovely, as always. I've read it at least half a dozen times, and every time, it touches my heart. One of the things I liked best about A Christmas Bride was the reunion with Gerald and Prissy. In most cases, I don't really need to know what happens after the "happily ever after" but I wanted to know more about what happened to Gerald and Prissy, and I was pleased that Balogh acknowledged what they sacrificed (acceptance in society) for each other.
A Christmas Bride by Mary Balogh
(1997, Regency) 7/29/07
Grade: 3.5
Balanced between the worlds of cit and ton, Edgar Downes has decided to find a wife. Although he intends to marry a suitable young ladies, he ends up in bed with 36 year old widow Helena Stapleton - and when that night has unexpected consequences, he finds himself with a Christmas bride - a prickly, unhappy bride who needs his help to find forgiveness.
Although I normally like Regencies, this story could have used more space. The setup for the story (Edgar and Helena going to bed together) doesn’t really work. Supposedly Helena was carried away, but it didn’t seem consistent with their emotional states - the author didn’t really convince me that Helena changed her mind so abruptly, or that she was overwhelmed by lust. Helena wasn’t a particularly likeable character, and it took Balogh such a long time to set up the situation that I didn’t feel that I got to know either the hero and heroine until over half the book was over. It definitely got better in the second half, althogh Balogh has done the “charming rural Christmas” scenes in a lot of other books. The final reconciliation between Helena and Gerald was very touching, and because of that, I gave this book a slightly higher grade. But I think Balogh could have done more with these characters, if she hadn’t spent so much of the book setting up an “interesting situation”.
Helena's character was frustrating in this book. On one hand, I like characters who aren't the typical "nicey-nice romance heroine". But I had a hard time warming up to Helena, maybe because so much of the book was taken up by other things. I just felt like this book was missing something.
I read The Ideal Wife many years ago, so I had vague memories of it. The opening setup is almost identical to The Temporary Wife. I know several people who prefer The Ideal Wife, but for me, it doesn't have the emotional depth of The Temporary Wife. (Perhaps it's unfair to compare, but it's hard not to, when the situations are so similar.) It's a fine book, but not something I'd turn to again and again, the way I do with some of Balogh's books.
A Precious Jewel was lovely, as always. I've read it at least half a dozen times, and every time, it touches my heart. One of the things I liked best about A Christmas Bride was the reunion with Gerald and Prissy. In most cases, I don't really need to know what happens after the "happily ever after" but I wanted to know more about what happened to Gerald and Prissy, and I was pleased that Balogh acknowledged what they sacrificed (acceptance in society) for each other.
A Christmas Bride by Mary Balogh
(1997, Regency) 7/29/07
Grade: 3.5
Balanced between the worlds of cit and ton, Edgar Downes has decided to find a wife. Although he intends to marry a suitable young ladies, he ends up in bed with 36 year old widow Helena Stapleton - and when that night has unexpected consequences, he finds himself with a Christmas bride - a prickly, unhappy bride who needs his help to find forgiveness.
Although I normally like Regencies, this story could have used more space. The setup for the story (Edgar and Helena going to bed together) doesn’t really work. Supposedly Helena was carried away, but it didn’t seem consistent with their emotional states - the author didn’t really convince me that Helena changed her mind so abruptly, or that she was overwhelmed by lust. Helena wasn’t a particularly likeable character, and it took Balogh such a long time to set up the situation that I didn’t feel that I got to know either the hero and heroine until over half the book was over. It definitely got better in the second half, althogh Balogh has done the “charming rural Christmas” scenes in a lot of other books. The final reconciliation between Helena and Gerald was very touching, and because of that, I gave this book a slightly higher grade. But I think Balogh could have done more with these characters, if she hadn’t spent so much of the book setting up an “interesting situation”.
Helena's character was frustrating in this book. On one hand, I like characters who aren't the typical "nicey-nice romance heroine". But I had a hard time warming up to Helena, maybe because so much of the book was taken up by other things. I just felt like this book was missing something.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Suspect Or Victim?
Another entry in the Julian Kestrel series:
Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross
(1995, Regency Historical Mystery) 7/27/07
Grade: 4
After the death of his son, Alexander, Sir Malcolm Falkland asks Julian Kestrel to investigate. Although Julian is eager to do a bit of sleuthing, he soon finds that Alexander’s charming facade hid many dark secrets. As Julian investigates Alexander’s family, friends and servants, he finds more suspects than he expected - but which one was ultimately responsible?
A much stronger entry than the last book. The mystery is satisfyingly twisty, with clues and suspects around every corner. The gradual revealing of Alexander’s true character is well written and satisfying. Although there are a lot of charcters, each one is well depicted and so it’s fairly easy to keep track of everyone. We also get some intriguing glimpses into Julian’s background. My one minor quibble is Julian’s Poirot-like tendency to announce “Aha, now I know what this clue means” but then leave the reader in the dark for the next chapter or two. Sometimes this works, but sometimes it’s annoying. But overall, I found the mystery very satisfying.
This is definitely a "throwback" to a more old fashioned type of mystery: it's all about the clues and the personalities of the suspects, not the personal life of the detective (although a few hints here and there are welcomed). Kate Ross was really hitting her stride with this book, and for once I'm eagerly awaiting the next entry in the series.
Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross
(1995, Regency Historical Mystery) 7/27/07
Grade: 4
After the death of his son, Alexander, Sir Malcolm Falkland asks Julian Kestrel to investigate. Although Julian is eager to do a bit of sleuthing, he soon finds that Alexander’s charming facade hid many dark secrets. As Julian investigates Alexander’s family, friends and servants, he finds more suspects than he expected - but which one was ultimately responsible?
A much stronger entry than the last book. The mystery is satisfyingly twisty, with clues and suspects around every corner. The gradual revealing of Alexander’s true character is well written and satisfying. Although there are a lot of charcters, each one is well depicted and so it’s fairly easy to keep track of everyone. We also get some intriguing glimpses into Julian’s background. My one minor quibble is Julian’s Poirot-like tendency to announce “Aha, now I know what this clue means” but then leave the reader in the dark for the next chapter or two. Sometimes this works, but sometimes it’s annoying. But overall, I found the mystery very satisfying.
This is definitely a "throwback" to a more old fashioned type of mystery: it's all about the clues and the personalities of the suspects, not the personal life of the detective (although a few hints here and there are welcomed). Kate Ross was really hitting her stride with this book, and for once I'm eagerly awaiting the next entry in the series.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Julian Kestrel to the Rescue
My experience with Sharan Newman reminded me of why I don't read much mystery any more. Even very good mysteries tend to lose my interest after a couple of books in the series - I often find them repetitive and get tired of the same characters and same situations. But I'm going to give the Kate Ross books a try - there are only four books in the series (due to the author's untimely death) and so far, I'm enjoying them.
A Broken Vessel by Kate Ross
(1994, Regency Historical Mystery) 7/25/07
Grade: 3.5
Julian Kestrel is sleuthing again. When Sally Stokes has troubling encounters with three men, she goes to visit her brother Dipper, and discovers a mysterious letter that is tied to the death of a girl in a “reformation house”. Julian, Dipper and Sally are determined to identify the murderer, although the more they investigate, the murkier it becomes.
An intriguing view of the dark side of Regency life. Julian is still a great “detective” hero, although very little of his personal side is revealed here. The mystery is convoluted - maybe a bit too convoluted in places - but it comes together nicely, and all the clues were there from the beginning. The book was well written and I enjoyed reading it, but it didn’t grab me as much as the first book in the series did.
When I was younger, I read a lot of mysteries - I loved Agatha Christie but I also enjoyed other authors. But as I've gotten older, they just don't appeal as much. I love watching mysteries on TV (everything from CSI to Prime Suspect) so maybe I get my fix that way.
A Broken Vessel by Kate Ross
(1994, Regency Historical Mystery) 7/25/07
Grade: 3.5
Julian Kestrel is sleuthing again. When Sally Stokes has troubling encounters with three men, she goes to visit her brother Dipper, and discovers a mysterious letter that is tied to the death of a girl in a “reformation house”. Julian, Dipper and Sally are determined to identify the murderer, although the more they investigate, the murkier it becomes.
An intriguing view of the dark side of Regency life. Julian is still a great “detective” hero, although very little of his personal side is revealed here. The mystery is convoluted - maybe a bit too convoluted in places - but it comes together nicely, and all the clues were there from the beginning. The book was well written and I enjoyed reading it, but it didn’t grab me as much as the first book in the series did.
When I was younger, I read a lot of mysteries - I loved Agatha Christie but I also enjoyed other authors. But as I've gotten older, they just don't appeal as much. I love watching mysteries on TV (everything from CSI to Prime Suspect) so maybe I get my fix that way.
A Note On Harry
Like half of America, I spent the weekend reading the last Harry Potter book. I'm not going to review it, but my only real complaint was that there wasn't enough Snape - there was a long flashback, but I would have liked a real encounter between Harry and Snape. But that's a minor quibble.
But what struck me was how "romance-y" the epilogue was. I haven't read "children's books" in a long time, and I've never read a lot of fantasy, so I don't really know if that's a typical ending for this type of book. But the "see the future with lots of kids" ending definitely reminded me of the endings of many romance series, where everyone is happy with lots of babies, and often we'll see the hero as a doting father. I'm not a huge fan of these endings in romances (they often come across as saccharine) but it seemed an appropriate ending for Harry Potter.
But I couldn't help wondering - does J.K. Rowling read romance?
But what struck me was how "romance-y" the epilogue was. I haven't read "children's books" in a long time, and I've never read a lot of fantasy, so I don't really know if that's a typical ending for this type of book. But the "see the future with lots of kids" ending definitely reminded me of the endings of many romance series, where everyone is happy with lots of babies, and often we'll see the hero as a doting father. I'm not a huge fan of these endings in romances (they often come across as saccharine) but it seemed an appropriate ending for Harry Potter.
But I couldn't help wondering - does J.K. Rowling read romance?
Harlequin Everlasting
This is the first book I've read in Harlequin's new series line, Harlequin Everlasting. Based on the books I've seen so far, I'm not quite sure what they're going for - some of the books are more like stripped-down sagas, while others are straightforward reunion or "marriage in trouble" books. I'm not sure how the "saga" stories will work in the short format, but I hope they can find some good reunion stories - I'm always looking for good ones.
Fall From Grace by Kristi Gold (HE 2)
(2007, Contemporary Series) 7/23/07
Grade: 3.5
Although Anne and Jack were divorced several years before, after Jack has a stroke, Anne decides she has to take care of him, for their daughter’s sake. But she knows he’ll go back to his workaholic ways once he recovers. As we see their marriage unfolding in a series of flashbacks, we understand the love they once had - and how they might find it again.
An interesting story, but it suffers from too-perfect-hero syndrome. At the beginning, we’re told that Anne and Jack divorced because Jack never devoted time to his marriage, and always put work first. And yet, in every flashback, he’s shown as a devoted husband. Anne feels that she has reason to be upset, but her view of the marriage is never shown, so she comes across as “making too much out of nothing” which doesn’t really sync with the story. This may be a problem because the book is so short - it’s hard to tell a story in the present and have extensive flashbacks in just 280 pages - but it left me wondering which version of Jack was the real one. I appreciated the story about Jack recovering from his stroke, but the book was too short to really get into that part of the storyline - I found the flashbacks a bit predictable and wished more time was devoted to Jack’s recovery in the present. Still, I liked the characters and found them sympathetic, I just felt the book was too slanted toward Jack.
Although I like reunion stories, they definitely walk a fine line. Many of them are disappointing. I was really hoping that this book would be an improvement on Theresa Weir's One Fine Day (which I didn't like as much as I'd hoped) but unfortunately, it didn't have the depth I was hoping for.
Fall From Grace by Kristi Gold (HE 2)
(2007, Contemporary Series) 7/23/07
Grade: 3.5
Although Anne and Jack were divorced several years before, after Jack has a stroke, Anne decides she has to take care of him, for their daughter’s sake. But she knows he’ll go back to his workaholic ways once he recovers. As we see their marriage unfolding in a series of flashbacks, we understand the love they once had - and how they might find it again.
An interesting story, but it suffers from too-perfect-hero syndrome. At the beginning, we’re told that Anne and Jack divorced because Jack never devoted time to his marriage, and always put work first. And yet, in every flashback, he’s shown as a devoted husband. Anne feels that she has reason to be upset, but her view of the marriage is never shown, so she comes across as “making too much out of nothing” which doesn’t really sync with the story. This may be a problem because the book is so short - it’s hard to tell a story in the present and have extensive flashbacks in just 280 pages - but it left me wondering which version of Jack was the real one. I appreciated the story about Jack recovering from his stroke, but the book was too short to really get into that part of the storyline - I found the flashbacks a bit predictable and wished more time was devoted to Jack’s recovery in the present. Still, I liked the characters and found them sympathetic, I just felt the book was too slanted toward Jack.
Although I like reunion stories, they definitely walk a fine line. Many of them are disappointing. I was really hoping that this book would be an improvement on Theresa Weir's One Fine Day (which I didn't like as much as I'd hoped) but unfortunately, it didn't have the depth I was hoping for.
Big Hair, Shoulder Pads... and Dating Your Secretary?
Whenever I go on a trip, I bring along a few old series books that I can toss when I reach my destination. (Even thrift stores don't seem to want 80's series titles any more, so I don't feel bad about tossing them.) Sometimes I find a gem, sometimes a dud, and sometimes something in between.
Tomorrow's Love Song by Georgia Bockoven (HT 261)
(1987, Contemporary Series) 7/18/07
Grade: 3
Amy discovers that her father was cheated of his share of a now-prosperous pharmaceutical company. She disguises herself as a dowd and gets hired as a secretary for the CEO, the playboy son of the man who cheated her father. But she finds that the son is nothing like his father, and she can’t help her attraction to him.
Although this book was well written and easy to read, it was noticeably dated, and the characters were somewhat stereotypical. It was very hard to read this “secretary falls for the boss” story without thinking of sexual harrassment, which doesn’t seem to cross any of the characters' minds. But I was more bothered by the mental lusting - the heroine meets the hero and suddenly she can’t keep her eyes off of him, thinks of every woman as a catty rival, and seems to lose her brains altogether. The hero is depicted as unrealistically perfect - he’s a playboy, but he’s really just misunderstood. Despite all of this, I finished the book - there were some good things here, and the author writes well, I was just disappointed that she never got past the 80’s romance stereotypes.
I'm not sure why books from 10-20 years ago are harder to read than books from 50 years ago - maybe because they have enough similarity to the present that the incongruities stand out. There are still lots of "boss and secretary" romances on the shelves today - mostly Harlequin Presents, which I don't read - and I wonder how they get past current-day attitudes about sex in the workplace. I read one workplace romance last year, Legally Tender, and I thought the author did a good job in that one in addressing the question without squelching the romance.
Tomorrow's Love Song by Georgia Bockoven (HT 261)
(1987, Contemporary Series) 7/18/07
Grade: 3
Amy discovers that her father was cheated of his share of a now-prosperous pharmaceutical company. She disguises herself as a dowd and gets hired as a secretary for the CEO, the playboy son of the man who cheated her father. But she finds that the son is nothing like his father, and she can’t help her attraction to him.
Although this book was well written and easy to read, it was noticeably dated, and the characters were somewhat stereotypical. It was very hard to read this “secretary falls for the boss” story without thinking of sexual harrassment, which doesn’t seem to cross any of the characters' minds. But I was more bothered by the mental lusting - the heroine meets the hero and suddenly she can’t keep her eyes off of him, thinks of every woman as a catty rival, and seems to lose her brains altogether. The hero is depicted as unrealistically perfect - he’s a playboy, but he’s really just misunderstood. Despite all of this, I finished the book - there were some good things here, and the author writes well, I was just disappointed that she never got past the 80’s romance stereotypes.
I'm not sure why books from 10-20 years ago are harder to read than books from 50 years ago - maybe because they have enough similarity to the present that the incongruities stand out. There are still lots of "boss and secretary" romances on the shelves today - mostly Harlequin Presents, which I don't read - and I wonder how they get past current-day attitudes about sex in the workplace. I read one workplace romance last year, Legally Tender, and I thought the author did a good job in that one in addressing the question without squelching the romance.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Medieval Mysteries
I first read Sharan Newman when I was in middle school, and discovered her terrific Guinevere series. I read the first book in this series, Death Comes As Epiphany, back in 1996, but never got around to reading the followups.
The Devil's Door by Sharan Newman
(1994, Medieval Mystery) 7/16/07
Grade: 3.5
The second book in the series. Although Catherine is engaged to Edgar, she remains at the Paraclete while he travels to Scotland to sell his land. While there, she is drawn into the sad story of Alys, the wife of a local count, who was beaten to death outside the convent walls. If Catherine investigates her death, will she put herself and Edgar in danger?
Not as compelling as the first book of the series. Although the historical background is still intriguing, there’s nothing particularly new. The mystery of Alys turns out to be complicated and interesting, but for most of the book, it’s interspersed with long sidetracks about Abelard’s problems with the church leaders and way too much background information. It was distracting, and I kept wishing she’d get back to the main story. Still, it was well written and the pace picked up in the last third or so.
Strong as Death by Sharan Newman
(1994, Medieval Mystery) 7/18/07
Grade: 3.5
After several miscarriages, Catherine has a dream, and feels that she must go to the monastery of Compostela to pray for a child. She and Edgar (along with some of her Jewish relatives) join a group of assorted pilgrims heading for Spain. But when a group of old knights and onetime Crusaders begin to die one by one, Catherine and Edgar must investigate.
As usual, the author does a great job in depicting medieval life, both Christian and Jewish, and showing how religion permeates every aspect of daily life. This book has a clearer storyline than some of the other books in the series, and the mystery is more compelling. Catherine and Edgar are interesting characters, but there aren’t a lot of new notes in their relationship. The tensions between Catherine’s Jewish relatives and Christian society are still interesting, but not really new. Although I enjoyed the book, this series seems to be losing steam, repeating the same themes instead of introducing new ones.
Although I tried to read later books in the series, I just didn't find them all that interesting. The medieval background that was so compelling in the first books isn't enough to sustain my interest without something new to add more depth.
The Devil's Door by Sharan Newman
(1994, Medieval Mystery) 7/16/07
Grade: 3.5
The second book in the series. Although Catherine is engaged to Edgar, she remains at the Paraclete while he travels to Scotland to sell his land. While there, she is drawn into the sad story of Alys, the wife of a local count, who was beaten to death outside the convent walls. If Catherine investigates her death, will she put herself and Edgar in danger?
Not as compelling as the first book of the series. Although the historical background is still intriguing, there’s nothing particularly new. The mystery of Alys turns out to be complicated and interesting, but for most of the book, it’s interspersed with long sidetracks about Abelard’s problems with the church leaders and way too much background information. It was distracting, and I kept wishing she’d get back to the main story. Still, it was well written and the pace picked up in the last third or so.
Strong as Death by Sharan Newman
(1994, Medieval Mystery) 7/18/07
Grade: 3.5
After several miscarriages, Catherine has a dream, and feels that she must go to the monastery of Compostela to pray for a child. She and Edgar (along with some of her Jewish relatives) join a group of assorted pilgrims heading for Spain. But when a group of old knights and onetime Crusaders begin to die one by one, Catherine and Edgar must investigate.
As usual, the author does a great job in depicting medieval life, both Christian and Jewish, and showing how religion permeates every aspect of daily life. This book has a clearer storyline than some of the other books in the series, and the mystery is more compelling. Catherine and Edgar are interesting characters, but there aren’t a lot of new notes in their relationship. The tensions between Catherine’s Jewish relatives and Christian society are still interesting, but not really new. Although I enjoyed the book, this series seems to be losing steam, repeating the same themes instead of introducing new ones.
Although I tried to read later books in the series, I just didn't find them all that interesting. The medieval background that was so compelling in the first books isn't enough to sustain my interest without something new to add more depth.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
A Happy Ending
I'll admit, I skipped Alleyne's book altogether. I flipped through it, and read the last couple of chapters where Alleyne was reunited with his family, but the story just didn't appeal to me, and I didn't want to waste my time on it. (Besides my aversion to Alleyne's return, I'd also heard too much online about "Disney whores", and my quick skim of the first section of the book didn't do anything to persuade me to keep reading.) Thankfully skipping this book didn't affect my enjoyment of the last book in the series.
Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
(2004, Regency Historical) 7/14/2007
Grade: 4.5
Wulfric Bedwyn, the Duke of Bewcastle, was taught to hold himself above others and suppress his emotions. With his family all married and gone, he’s unexpectedly lonely, but can’t imagine marrying. But when he meets Christine - boisterous, sociable and joyful- he is attracted despite himself. Can a Duke allow an imperfect love into his life?
Definitely the best book in the series. It’s always difficult to find a believable match for the “repressed head of the family” character, but I think Balogh succeeds in creating a heroine who would horrify a Duke but would also attract him. Their relationship is believable without compromising the character of Bewcastle that’s been created in the previous books. And they definitely have chemistry together. The book is a little too stuffed with other family members (I felt like I needed a chart to keep track of all the relatives) and the side plot about Justin didn’t quite work for me, but overall, it ended the series exceptionally well. (Although I didn’t like several of the books in the series, this book wouldn’t have worked as well if Bewcastle hadn’t been developed during the other books so the reader knew him to some extent before the book began.)
Definitely back on form for Mary Balogh, which makes me happy. Although it didn't reach the heights of her best books, it was satisfying and enjoyable. I wasn't sure quite how to grade it, but since I stayed up until 4 am finishing it, I had to give it an extra boost in my rating.
Now, I need to find something completely different, after my somewhat frustrating Balogh binge. Harry Potter doesn't come out for another week, so I'll need something to read in the meantime...
Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
(2004, Regency Historical) 7/14/2007
Grade: 4.5
Wulfric Bedwyn, the Duke of Bewcastle, was taught to hold himself above others and suppress his emotions. With his family all married and gone, he’s unexpectedly lonely, but can’t imagine marrying. But when he meets Christine - boisterous, sociable and joyful- he is attracted despite himself. Can a Duke allow an imperfect love into his life?
Definitely the best book in the series. It’s always difficult to find a believable match for the “repressed head of the family” character, but I think Balogh succeeds in creating a heroine who would horrify a Duke but would also attract him. Their relationship is believable without compromising the character of Bewcastle that’s been created in the previous books. And they definitely have chemistry together. The book is a little too stuffed with other family members (I felt like I needed a chart to keep track of all the relatives) and the side plot about Justin didn’t quite work for me, but overall, it ended the series exceptionally well. (Although I didn’t like several of the books in the series, this book wouldn’t have worked as well if Bewcastle hadn’t been developed during the other books so the reader knew him to some extent before the book began.)
Definitely back on form for Mary Balogh, which makes me happy. Although it didn't reach the heights of her best books, it was satisfying and enjoyable. I wasn't sure quite how to grade it, but since I stayed up until 4 am finishing it, I had to give it an extra boost in my rating.
Now, I need to find something completely different, after my somewhat frustrating Balogh binge. Harry Potter doesn't come out for another week, so I'll need something to read in the meantime...
Friday, July 13, 2007
Odds and Evens
According to my "every other book" theory, I should enjoy this one. And for the most part, I did.
Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh
(2004, Regency Historical) 7/13/07
Grade: 3.5
In Brussels after Napoleon’s exile, Morgan Bedwyn is frustrated that everyone treats her as a child. Only Rosthorn talks to her as an equal. What she doesn’t know is that Rosthorn sees her as a way to take revenge on her brother. But when Waterloo brings a harsh reality to Morgan’s life, she finds that Rosthorn is more trustworthy than she thought - or is he?
Definitely one of the more enjoyable entries in the Slightly series. Morgan is a vividly drawn character (even though she could have been a stereotypical “feisty young gel”) and her relationship with Rosthorn is a believable friendship. I could really feel the connection between them. The setting was also interesting, an aspect of the Napoleonic wars I hadn’t read about before. The book falls down a bit in the last few chapters. Even though the resolution of Gervase’s family issues is well done, the “will she or won’t she” conflict doesn’t really work. I was also disappointed by the non-death of Alleyne (although that doesn’t happen until the next book). The scenes of grief are heartfelt (especially Wulf’s reaction) but since I knew Alleyne wasn’t really dead, it was hard to be moved by them. The characters seem to “know” he’s coming back, too, since they barely mention him again after the initial grieving period.
Although I don't remember that many books from a decade ago, I can still remember one scene from An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley. In this scene, some of the "Rogues" find out that one of their dear friends has been killed at Waterloo. Their shock and grief gave the scene a sense of reality that was very moving. It has stuck in my mind, even a decade later. I never really followed the Rogue books that closely, but I was disappointed when the author revived that character in one of her more recent books. It's not that I wanted this character to die, but the power of that scene was dimmed a little for me. When characters are never allowed to die, or even be less than perfect, it makes the emotional journeys less believable. At least for me.
Slightly Tempted by Mary Balogh
(2004, Regency Historical) 7/13/07
Grade: 3.5
In Brussels after Napoleon’s exile, Morgan Bedwyn is frustrated that everyone treats her as a child. Only Rosthorn talks to her as an equal. What she doesn’t know is that Rosthorn sees her as a way to take revenge on her brother. But when Waterloo brings a harsh reality to Morgan’s life, she finds that Rosthorn is more trustworthy than she thought - or is he?
Definitely one of the more enjoyable entries in the Slightly series. Morgan is a vividly drawn character (even though she could have been a stereotypical “feisty young gel”) and her relationship with Rosthorn is a believable friendship. I could really feel the connection between them. The setting was also interesting, an aspect of the Napoleonic wars I hadn’t read about before. The book falls down a bit in the last few chapters. Even though the resolution of Gervase’s family issues is well done, the “will she or won’t she” conflict doesn’t really work. I was also disappointed by the non-death of Alleyne (although that doesn’t happen until the next book). The scenes of grief are heartfelt (especially Wulf’s reaction) but since I knew Alleyne wasn’t really dead, it was hard to be moved by them. The characters seem to “know” he’s coming back, too, since they barely mention him again after the initial grieving period.
Although I don't remember that many books from a decade ago, I can still remember one scene from An Unwilling Bride by Jo Beverley. In this scene, some of the "Rogues" find out that one of their dear friends has been killed at Waterloo. Their shock and grief gave the scene a sense of reality that was very moving. It has stuck in my mind, even a decade later. I never really followed the Rogue books that closely, but I was disappointed when the author revived that character in one of her more recent books. It's not that I wanted this character to die, but the power of that scene was dimmed a little for me. When characters are never allowed to die, or even be less than perfect, it makes the emotional journeys less believable. At least for me.
No Sparkle
This series has been oddly uneven for me. I've enjoyed every other book - and disliked the ones in between. Maybe I'm better off with my usual reading style, which is to pick and choose among books in a series, only reading the ones that sound appealing.
Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh
(2003, Regency Historical) 7/10/07
Grade: 2.5
Hoping to escape her former fiance, Freya Bedwyn heads for Bath. On the way, a stranger bursts into her room. She quickly finds that he’s Joshua Moore, the Marquess of Hallmere, one of the few men who can go toe-to-toe with the fierce Freya Bedwyn. When she agrees to pose as his fiancee, she begins to realize she may have met her match.
Very disappointing - I wasn’t able to finish. A lot of people disliked Freya as a character, but I didn’t find her that objectionable. She had more reason to be a “fiesty heroine” than most romance heroines, given her background and position. But I didn’t feel any chemistry between her and the hero. I guess their dialogue was supposed to be “sparkling and witty” but I just found it dull. It felt totally predictable, and just didn’t move me in any way. I finally gave up.
It's very hard to explain why one hero and heroine have great "chemistry" and another hero and heroine do not. (I guess that's why I'm not an author!) It's easy for me to criticize a book when it contains elements that I don't like, or if the characters are just not believable. But that wasn't the case here. Even though I liked the hero and heroine well enough, they just didn't seem to sparkle together. Very hard to explain... makes me glad I'm not a "real" book reviewer any more.
Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh
(2003, Regency Historical) 7/10/07
Grade: 2.5
Hoping to escape her former fiance, Freya Bedwyn heads for Bath. On the way, a stranger bursts into her room. She quickly finds that he’s Joshua Moore, the Marquess of Hallmere, one of the few men who can go toe-to-toe with the fierce Freya Bedwyn. When she agrees to pose as his fiancee, she begins to realize she may have met her match.
Very disappointing - I wasn’t able to finish. A lot of people disliked Freya as a character, but I didn’t find her that objectionable. She had more reason to be a “fiesty heroine” than most romance heroines, given her background and position. But I didn’t feel any chemistry between her and the hero. I guess their dialogue was supposed to be “sparkling and witty” but I just found it dull. It felt totally predictable, and just didn’t move me in any way. I finally gave up.
It's very hard to explain why one hero and heroine have great "chemistry" and another hero and heroine do not. (I guess that's why I'm not an author!) It's easy for me to criticize a book when it contains elements that I don't like, or if the characters are just not believable. But that wasn't the case here. Even though I liked the hero and heroine well enough, they just didn't seem to sparkle together. Very hard to explain... makes me glad I'm not a "real" book reviewer any more.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Definite Improvement
I decided to jump right back into Balogh's Slightly series, even though I was wary after my bad experience with the last book...
Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh
(2003, Regency Historical) 7/9/2007
Grade: 3.5
Judith Law is on her way to a life as a poor relation. When she ends up with a handsome stranger, she decides to take the chance for one night of passion. But when the stranger turns out to be a neighbor, Rannulf Bedwyn, who is courting her cousin, the situation becomes very awkward. But Rannulf begins to wonder if he’s courting the wrong cousin...
This was a great improvement over the first Bedwyn book. The characters were likeable and the story was interesting (especially after I got past the endless sex scene that started the book). The writing style is smooth and easy to read, and the Bedwyns only make a few brief appearances. My main criticism is that there wasn’t much emotional engagement with the characters - they were nice enough but it didn’t have the emotional impact of Balogh’s other books. I had to downgrade this book compared to One Night For Love or Summer To Remember because my emotions weren’t engaged in the same way. Maybe that means I’m grading on a curve - judging Balogh by different standards than other authors - but I know she can do more!
I'm so relieved that the Slightly series isn't going to be a complete bust for me.
Slightly Wicked by Mary Balogh
(2003, Regency Historical) 7/9/2007
Grade: 3.5
Judith Law is on her way to a life as a poor relation. When she ends up with a handsome stranger, she decides to take the chance for one night of passion. But when the stranger turns out to be a neighbor, Rannulf Bedwyn, who is courting her cousin, the situation becomes very awkward. But Rannulf begins to wonder if he’s courting the wrong cousin...
This was a great improvement over the first Bedwyn book. The characters were likeable and the story was interesting (especially after I got past the endless sex scene that started the book). The writing style is smooth and easy to read, and the Bedwyns only make a few brief appearances. My main criticism is that there wasn’t much emotional engagement with the characters - they were nice enough but it didn’t have the emotional impact of Balogh’s other books. I had to downgrade this book compared to One Night For Love or Summer To Remember because my emotions weren’t engaged in the same way. Maybe that means I’m grading on a curve - judging Balogh by different standards than other authors - but I know she can do more!
I'm so relieved that the Slightly series isn't going to be a complete bust for me.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Here a Bedwyn, There a Bedwyn
I've met Mary Balogh a couple of times, once at a tea she gave when RWA was in NYC, and then later at the Celebrate Romance convention. She's a lovely person, who really seems to appreciate her fans. (Just had to start with something nice, since Balogh is my favorite romance author, bar none.)
Slightly Married by Mary Balogh
(2003, Regency Historical) 7/8/07
Grade: 3
When Aidan promised a soldier on the battlefield that he would take care of his sister, he never thought that would mean marriage. As a career military officer and the brother of a Duke, he had other plans for his life. But what began as a matter of honor became something more, as Aidan got to know Eve and her family of misfits and lame ducks.
This book was deeply disappointing. I found it very hard to care about either the hero or the heroine. The hero starts out as arrogant and unlikeable, and for most of the book, there’s very little to his character other than his stiff arrogance. I can empathize with an “unlikeble” hero if there’s something more there, but Aidan just left me cold and uninterested. The heroine was depicted as more “likeable” and sympathetic, but I didn’t get much from her either. She was stereotypical - even her moments of spirit and independence seemed like romance heroine formula. I couldn’t help thinking of other books - by Balogh and other writers - that took similar situations and made the characters sing despite the familiar storyline. This one didn’t. Aidan finally showed some life in the last part of the book, when he tells Eve about his childhood and why he went into the military, but this was 50 pages from the end of the book! Too little, too late.
It's disappointing, to be looking at five unread Mary Balogh books with a feeling of drudgery, rather than the joy and excitement I usually feel. Hopefully I'll have better things to say in my next review...
Slightly Married by Mary Balogh
(2003, Regency Historical) 7/8/07
Grade: 3
When Aidan promised a soldier on the battlefield that he would take care of his sister, he never thought that would mean marriage. As a career military officer and the brother of a Duke, he had other plans for his life. But what began as a matter of honor became something more, as Aidan got to know Eve and her family of misfits and lame ducks.
This book was deeply disappointing. I found it very hard to care about either the hero or the heroine. The hero starts out as arrogant and unlikeable, and for most of the book, there’s very little to his character other than his stiff arrogance. I can empathize with an “unlikeble” hero if there’s something more there, but Aidan just left me cold and uninterested. The heroine was depicted as more “likeable” and sympathetic, but I didn’t get much from her either. She was stereotypical - even her moments of spirit and independence seemed like romance heroine formula. I couldn’t help thinking of other books - by Balogh and other writers - that took similar situations and made the characters sing despite the familiar storyline. This one didn’t. Aidan finally showed some life in the last part of the book, when he tells Eve about his childhood and why he went into the military, but this was 50 pages from the end of the book! Too little, too late.
It's disappointing, to be looking at five unread Mary Balogh books with a feeling of drudgery, rather than the joy and excitement I usually feel. Hopefully I'll have better things to say in my next review...
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Balogh's Strength
One thing that I love about Balogh is that she can write a book that's focused on characters - she doesn't feel the need to throw in spy plots and adventure stories, but trusts that the hero and heroine can carry a book on their own. Whenever I hear criticisms of Balogh's books being "all the same", I don't really understand it - to me, it's the endless spy stories and suspense plots that seem "all the same". Character-based stories are always different, because each character has a different way of looking at the world and interacting with people.
A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
(2002, Regency Historical) 7/4/07
Grade: 4
Although Lauren always thought of herself as the perfect lady, she’s wondering what comes next, after being left at the altar. Kit Butler is dangerous and exciting - the man her family warns her against. But maybe Kit can give her a summer of adventures and excitement, before she resigns herself to life as a spinster - but love isn’t part of the bargain.
There is a lot to like in this book. Kit and Lauren are sympathetic and charming characters, and their interplay is a lot of fun. Although the book starts off a bit slowly, as Lauren and Kit spend more time together, their interactions become more and more fun. The family dynamics of Kit’s family are reminiscent of The Temporary Wife (although not quite as touching). The problems are relatively minor. There are a lot of secondary characters (it’s hard to keep track of everyone) - in particular, the Bedwyns, who the author keeps throwing into the book even when it doesn’t seem necessary. I felt pulled out of the story every time the author extolled the virtues of the Bedwyns. However, Lauren and Kit’s happy ending left me with a smile on my face.
Although I'm determined to read the Slightly series next, nothing in this book attracted me to the Bedwyns or made me eager to read their stories. Even though the author was plainly "advertising" her next book when she introduced the Bedwyns, they didn't seem particularly sympathetic. It was almost as if she was daring the reader - "I'm going to write about unsympathetic, arrogant people, and you're going to LIKE IT." An odd approach for Balogh.
A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh
(2002, Regency Historical) 7/4/07
Grade: 4
Although Lauren always thought of herself as the perfect lady, she’s wondering what comes next, after being left at the altar. Kit Butler is dangerous and exciting - the man her family warns her against. But maybe Kit can give her a summer of adventures and excitement, before she resigns herself to life as a spinster - but love isn’t part of the bargain.
There is a lot to like in this book. Kit and Lauren are sympathetic and charming characters, and their interplay is a lot of fun. Although the book starts off a bit slowly, as Lauren and Kit spend more time together, their interactions become more and more fun. The family dynamics of Kit’s family are reminiscent of The Temporary Wife (although not quite as touching). The problems are relatively minor. There are a lot of secondary characters (it’s hard to keep track of everyone) - in particular, the Bedwyns, who the author keeps throwing into the book even when it doesn’t seem necessary. I felt pulled out of the story every time the author extolled the virtues of the Bedwyns. However, Lauren and Kit’s happy ending left me with a smile on my face.
Although I'm determined to read the Slightly series next, nothing in this book attracted me to the Bedwyns or made me eager to read their stories. Even though the author was plainly "advertising" her next book when she introduced the Bedwyns, they didn't seem particularly sympathetic. It was almost as if she was daring the reader - "I'm going to write about unsympathetic, arrogant people, and you're going to LIKE IT." An odd approach for Balogh.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Why I'm Not A Mystery Reader
I spent the morning at the auto repair shop and the afternoon at the unemployment office - what a day! But at least I got to read something good to take my mind off of everything.
Still Life With Murder by P.B. Ryan
(2003, 1860's Boston) 7/2/07
Grade: 4
After a childhood in poverty, Nell Sweeney has ended up as a governess in an upper class Boston household. But when Viola Hewitt’s son is accused of murder (although he was believed dead at Andersonville), she begs Nell to find out what really happened. Nell finds herself drawn into a world of opium addiction, crime and pain - a world she’d tried to escape.
A detailed depiction of the social world of upper class Boston in the late 1860’s. Nell is an interesting character, and her observations bring the setting to life. The author also brings in fascinating side issues - opium addiction among former soldiers, the horrors of Andersonville - and ties them neatly into a well drawn mysery. The main problem of the book is the character of Will - he’s just as interesting as Nell, but he’s kept at arms length throughout the book, and we don’t really see what draws him to Nell, or much about their relationship. Although I found the book interesting, it felt somewhat incomplete.
I find most "hybrid" books unsatisfying. I get frustrated because it feels like neither the mysery or the relationship is fully formed. The best part of this book was the deftly realized setting. The mystery was OK, but it was fairly simple and the resolution fell a bit flat. The relationship felt like just a taste - not enough to really get the full flavor and depth.
Back when I read mysteries, the ones I preferred were puzzle mysteries, like Agatha Christie. The reader has to figure out a complicated, detailed puzzle and put all the pieces together before the detective. But those types of stories don't seem that popular any more. So I'll stick with romance.
Still Life With Murder by P.B. Ryan
(2003, 1860's Boston) 7/2/07
Grade: 4
After a childhood in poverty, Nell Sweeney has ended up as a governess in an upper class Boston household. But when Viola Hewitt’s son is accused of murder (although he was believed dead at Andersonville), she begs Nell to find out what really happened. Nell finds herself drawn into a world of opium addiction, crime and pain - a world she’d tried to escape.
A detailed depiction of the social world of upper class Boston in the late 1860’s. Nell is an interesting character, and her observations bring the setting to life. The author also brings in fascinating side issues - opium addiction among former soldiers, the horrors of Andersonville - and ties them neatly into a well drawn mysery. The main problem of the book is the character of Will - he’s just as interesting as Nell, but he’s kept at arms length throughout the book, and we don’t really see what draws him to Nell, or much about their relationship. Although I found the book interesting, it felt somewhat incomplete.
I find most "hybrid" books unsatisfying. I get frustrated because it feels like neither the mysery or the relationship is fully formed. The best part of this book was the deftly realized setting. The mystery was OK, but it was fairly simple and the resolution fell a bit flat. The relationship felt like just a taste - not enough to really get the full flavor and depth.
Back when I read mysteries, the ones I preferred were puzzle mysteries, like Agatha Christie. The reader has to figure out a complicated, detailed puzzle and put all the pieces together before the detective. But those types of stories don't seem that popular any more. So I'll stick with romance.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
With a Bow on Top
Mary Balogh is one of my favorite authors, but I've gotten terribly behind in reading her books. I guess I took them for granted and let them languish on my bookshelves. It's nice to come back to an author who I always enjoy.
One Night For Love by Mary Balogh
(1999, Regency Historical) 7/1/07
Grade: 4
As Neville Wyatt, the Earl of Kilbourne, stands in the church on his wedding day, an unexpected guest appears. It’s his wife, Lily Doyle, the soldier’s daughter that he married in Portugal. He believed her dead years ago. Although their marriage was one of necessity, Neville grew to love Lily and her untamed spirit - but will that be enough for the wife of an Earl?
Balogh does a good job (as always) in depicting Regency society. Many romance characters seem to live in a void, but Balogh’s characters must deal with the strictures and rules of the society in which they live. Lily’s difficulties in adapting to those rules is described in detail, and it made the characters seem real. The relationship between the hero and heroine seeemed a bit impersonal at first, but it became more interesting as the book continued. The main problem was the convenient revelation in the last section of the book, which made many of Lily and Neville’s problems disappear. Although it was foreshadowed from the beginning, it seemed like a cheat - making Lily’s struggles and triumphs seem empty. I’m not marking down the grade as far as I might have, because there is a sweetness to the resolution - it gives two of the secondary characters a happy ending - but it definitely lessened the book’s power for me.
I've ranted about this topic before, but I'll add a few more thoughts. Recently, there's been a lot of talk online about the HEA - is it really required for romance? I think so. But that doesn't mean that everything has to be tied up perfectly with a bow on top. I want the hero and heroine to end the book together, happy and in love. But all their problems don't have to be magically solved. To me, a happy ending has more emotional impact if the hero and heroine overcome their problems through their love for each other - not by the author's "deus ex machina" eliminating the obstacles.
I feel a little bit insulted as a romance reader when I get an ending like this - as if the author thinks I can't appreciate a happy ending if it doesn't come with a pile of money and a fancy title for the characters.
One Night For Love by Mary Balogh
(1999, Regency Historical) 7/1/07
Grade: 4
As Neville Wyatt, the Earl of Kilbourne, stands in the church on his wedding day, an unexpected guest appears. It’s his wife, Lily Doyle, the soldier’s daughter that he married in Portugal. He believed her dead years ago. Although their marriage was one of necessity, Neville grew to love Lily and her untamed spirit - but will that be enough for the wife of an Earl?
Balogh does a good job (as always) in depicting Regency society. Many romance characters seem to live in a void, but Balogh’s characters must deal with the strictures and rules of the society in which they live. Lily’s difficulties in adapting to those rules is described in detail, and it made the characters seem real. The relationship between the hero and heroine seeemed a bit impersonal at first, but it became more interesting as the book continued. The main problem was the convenient revelation in the last section of the book, which made many of Lily and Neville’s problems disappear. Although it was foreshadowed from the beginning, it seemed like a cheat - making Lily’s struggles and triumphs seem empty. I’m not marking down the grade as far as I might have, because there is a sweetness to the resolution - it gives two of the secondary characters a happy ending - but it definitely lessened the book’s power for me.
I've ranted about this topic before, but I'll add a few more thoughts. Recently, there's been a lot of talk online about the HEA - is it really required for romance? I think so. But that doesn't mean that everything has to be tied up perfectly with a bow on top. I want the hero and heroine to end the book together, happy and in love. But all their problems don't have to be magically solved. To me, a happy ending has more emotional impact if the hero and heroine overcome their problems through their love for each other - not by the author's "deus ex machina" eliminating the obstacles.
I feel a little bit insulted as a romance reader when I get an ending like this - as if the author thinks I can't appreciate a happy ending if it doesn't come with a pile of money and a fancy title for the characters.
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