I have a friend who doesn't like angsty books. Whenever she comes across a book with angst, she sends it over to me, saying "I know you like angst, so I'm sure you'll like this". If only it were that simple! It's tricky to write an angsty book that conveys real emotion, rather than just cardboard melodrama (and it's a skill that fewer authors seem to have these days...)
Untouched by Anna Campbell
(2007, Regency Historical) 2/22/08
Grade: 3
Recently widowed Grace is abducted and brought to an isolated estate, to become the mistress of the mad Lord Sheene. Matthew has been kept in isolation since he was 14 and suffered from brain fever, his uncle calling him insane to keep control of his fortune. He is determined not to give in to his uncle’s plans, but Grace is so very tempting...
I had high hopes for this book. A hero who has been isolated most of his life, treated as insane? Nirvana for an angst bunny like me. But something about this book just rang false. I never really believed in Matthew or in Grace. It’s hard to explain exactly why - the overblown style and somewhat purplish prose is part of it, but I’ve read other books with that style and found them compelling. But somehow, this one felt over-the-top and melodramatic, rather than heartfelt. The author seemed to tell us who Matthew and Grace were, rather than showing us. There were good aspects to the book - I appreciated that Matthew wasn’t instantly a stud in bed and had to learn, even though he caught on pretty quickly - but still, I wanted more, and I just ended up disappointed.
I was hoping for something along the lines of Flowers From The Storm, but alas, it didn't come close.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
A Scandalous Proposal by Julia Justiss
Another older book plucked out of my TBR pile.
A Scandalous Proposal by Julia Justiss
(2000, Regency) 2/7/08
Grade: 3.5
Emily has been struggling since her family disowned her and her soldier husband died in Spain, but she’s finally been able to open up a hat shop and support her son. But when Evan, the Earl of Cheverley, helps her, she decides a liasion with him is her best option. Evan finds her very attractive, but neither one expected to fall in love...
At first I expected to dislike the premise of this book (she’s just a mistress!) but that turned out to be less of an issue than I originally thought. I liked the characters, and even though it’s hard to understand at first why Evan is so “in love” with Emily, his love (and not just lust) becomes clearer as time goes on. However, this book felt like a series of strung-together episodes. It seemed like every time Evan and Emily got close to happiness, the author threw another out-of-the-blue obstacle in their way. It’s his position - no, it’s his friend who died in battle - no, it’s the crippled fiancee - no, it’s her title - no, it’s her engagement to his friend. It began to get tedious. Although the book started with promise and had appealing characters, I found the book harder and harder to get through as I got further into it - I just got tired.
Although the sex quotient is a bit higher here than in a typical Regency, I'd still label this Harlequin Historical as "Regency" rather than "Regency Historical".
A Scandalous Proposal by Julia Justiss
(2000, Regency) 2/7/08
Grade: 3.5
Emily has been struggling since her family disowned her and her soldier husband died in Spain, but she’s finally been able to open up a hat shop and support her son. But when Evan, the Earl of Cheverley, helps her, she decides a liasion with him is her best option. Evan finds her very attractive, but neither one expected to fall in love...
At first I expected to dislike the premise of this book (she’s just a mistress!) but that turned out to be less of an issue than I originally thought. I liked the characters, and even though it’s hard to understand at first why Evan is so “in love” with Emily, his love (and not just lust) becomes clearer as time goes on. However, this book felt like a series of strung-together episodes. It seemed like every time Evan and Emily got close to happiness, the author threw another out-of-the-blue obstacle in their way. It’s his position - no, it’s his friend who died in battle - no, it’s the crippled fiancee - no, it’s her title - no, it’s her engagement to his friend. It began to get tedious. Although the book started with promise and had appealing characters, I found the book harder and harder to get through as I got further into it - I just got tired.
Although the sex quotient is a bit higher here than in a typical Regency, I'd still label this Harlequin Historical as "Regency" rather than "Regency Historical".
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Right Behind You by Gail Giles
When I was a teenager, I loved "young adult" books. My local library had a small section devoted to YA fiction, and I literally read my way through the entire collection, A to Z. I wallowed in the angst of teen pregnancies, paralyzing accidents, dread diseases, dying siblings. (This was the 80's, and angst was in.) YA has a lot in common with romance - most YA books have hopeful endings, even if they aren't perfect tied-with-a-bow HEA's, and there's a strong message of redemption. (No wonder I felt like I'd come home when I discovered Balogh and Kinsale.)
Despite my great love of angsty stories, I haven't had much luck reading YA in recent years. I've been told that there are major gems in the YA genre these days, and I've gotten lots of recommendations. But these days, I find the teenage characters a bit hard to take. I must be old - I just can't relate to them any more. But happily, there are exceptions, and I'm really glad I read about this one on the Dear Author web site. (Thanks!)
Right Behind You by Gail Giles
(2007, Contemporary Young Adult) 2/5/08
Grade: 4
In this YA book, Kip McFarland struggles with the aftermath of his terrible crime. When he was nine, he set a seven year old neighbor on fire and killed him. After four years in a psychiatric hospital, he has to rebuild his life, while keeping his identity strictly secret. That may be too much for Kip to bear.
The book is divided into three sections, and the book’s strengths and weaknesses are also divided between the sections. The first section, mostly devoted to Kip’s years in the psychiatric hospital, is the shortest, but also the most vivid and realistic. The author does an amazing job at showing Kip’s thought processes, emotional problems, and gradual healing, in just 50 pages. This could easily have filled an entire book on its own. The second section is also vivid, but it jumps a bit too quickly from year to year. But the secondary characters are well drawn, and there are some moments of painful truth that really worked. The third section was the real weakness of the book. It’s the longest section, but it feels padded. As much as I love a good romance, Sam felt like an intrusion here. Her problems were far too convenient, and the resolution too pat. As much as I appreciate a happy ending, it didn’t feel real the way the earlier parts of the book did - a hopeful but less glossy resolution might have worked better. Still, this is a book that really makes you think, and I’m very glad I read it.
This book could easily have been a lecture (and a lot of the reviews make it sound that way). But it's not. The author shows you a person, and lets you decide for yourself. I wish it had been a little tighter at the end, less "movie of the week", but that's a small weakness compared to the rest.
Despite my great love of angsty stories, I haven't had much luck reading YA in recent years. I've been told that there are major gems in the YA genre these days, and I've gotten lots of recommendations. But these days, I find the teenage characters a bit hard to take. I must be old - I just can't relate to them any more. But happily, there are exceptions, and I'm really glad I read about this one on the Dear Author web site. (Thanks!)
Right Behind You by Gail Giles
(2007, Contemporary Young Adult) 2/5/08
Grade: 4
In this YA book, Kip McFarland struggles with the aftermath of his terrible crime. When he was nine, he set a seven year old neighbor on fire and killed him. After four years in a psychiatric hospital, he has to rebuild his life, while keeping his identity strictly secret. That may be too much for Kip to bear.
The book is divided into three sections, and the book’s strengths and weaknesses are also divided between the sections. The first section, mostly devoted to Kip’s years in the psychiatric hospital, is the shortest, but also the most vivid and realistic. The author does an amazing job at showing Kip’s thought processes, emotional problems, and gradual healing, in just 50 pages. This could easily have filled an entire book on its own. The second section is also vivid, but it jumps a bit too quickly from year to year. But the secondary characters are well drawn, and there are some moments of painful truth that really worked. The third section was the real weakness of the book. It’s the longest section, but it feels padded. As much as I love a good romance, Sam felt like an intrusion here. Her problems were far too convenient, and the resolution too pat. As much as I appreciate a happy ending, it didn’t feel real the way the earlier parts of the book did - a hopeful but less glossy resolution might have worked better. Still, this is a book that really makes you think, and I’m very glad I read it.
This book could easily have been a lecture (and a lot of the reviews make it sound that way). But it's not. The author shows you a person, and lets you decide for yourself. I wish it had been a little tighter at the end, less "movie of the week", but that's a small weakness compared to the rest.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
Just when I'm ready to give up on suspense, Anne Stuart (who else?) changes my mind just a bit.
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
(2006, Suspense) 2/1/08
Grade: 4
Genevieve is hoping to deliver some papers to billionaire Harry Van Dorn and be on her way - but she finds herself in the way of Peter Jensen, an assassin from the Committee. At first Peter just finds Genevieve an annoyance, even though he’s reluctant to kill an innocent, but soon he finds himself intrigued despite his icy professionalism.
Surprisingly good. Although I don’t usually like suspense, the character of Peter Jensen made this book unique and worth reading. Although the “cold assassin” is a well known character, Stuart managed to humanize him without compromising who he was - he wasn’t a “warm and fuzzy guy who was misunderstood”. He did what he had to do, and I would have loved to know more about him. Genevieve was a good foil for him, although she was a more typical romance heroine - “fiesty”, sometimes in a foolhearty way, but she never came across as stupid. I got a little tired of the suspense plot in the last part of the book - it was well done, I just didn’t particularly care - but the characters kept me turning the pages.
I'm still not ready to run out and buy more suspense books - I'm not even that interested in other books in this series. But a great character can make me like a book that otherwise wouldn't appeal to me, and that's definitely the case here. Stuart gave me a wonderful, intriguing character in Peter, and unlike most suspense authors, she was willing to devote a huge amount of the book to character development rather than "running around". Unfortunately, that's rare.
Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
(2006, Suspense) 2/1/08
Grade: 4
Genevieve is hoping to deliver some papers to billionaire Harry Van Dorn and be on her way - but she finds herself in the way of Peter Jensen, an assassin from the Committee. At first Peter just finds Genevieve an annoyance, even though he’s reluctant to kill an innocent, but soon he finds himself intrigued despite his icy professionalism.
Surprisingly good. Although I don’t usually like suspense, the character of Peter Jensen made this book unique and worth reading. Although the “cold assassin” is a well known character, Stuart managed to humanize him without compromising who he was - he wasn’t a “warm and fuzzy guy who was misunderstood”. He did what he had to do, and I would have loved to know more about him. Genevieve was a good foil for him, although she was a more typical romance heroine - “fiesty”, sometimes in a foolhearty way, but she never came across as stupid. I got a little tired of the suspense plot in the last part of the book - it was well done, I just didn’t particularly care - but the characters kept me turning the pages.
I'm still not ready to run out and buy more suspense books - I'm not even that interested in other books in this series. But a great character can make me like a book that otherwise wouldn't appeal to me, and that's definitely the case here. Stuart gave me a wonderful, intriguing character in Peter, and unlike most suspense authors, she was willing to devote a huge amount of the book to character development rather than "running around". Unfortunately, that's rare.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The Golden Chance by Jayne Ann Krentz
I haven’t been in the mood to read anything new recently, so I’ve been rereading a few “comfort reads” from my keeper shelf, including some of my JAK keepers. (I have five of her books on my keeper shelf – Coral Kiss, Family Man, Wildest Hearts, Grand Passion and Trust Me.) I’ve read all of JAK’s single titles from the 1990’s, but I hadn’t read some of them in many years – I decided to pick up a couple and see what I thought of them now.
The Golden Chance by Jayne Ann Krentz
(1990, Contemporary) 1/30/08
Grade: 3.5
Nick Lightfoot sees a chance to return to the family fold – the stock shares now owned by Philadelphia Fox. The family is desperate to get those shares back, and Nick is willing to give it a try – but Phila isn’t quite what he expected…
It’s hard not to think of Family Man when reading this book, and unfortunately, this book suffers by comparison. The characters are just not explored in the same depth as they are in JAK’s better titles. Although Nick isn’t exactly an alpha jerk, I found him irritating – it’s not just that he was arrogant, but that he wasn’t explained and explored to the extent that some of JAK’s other arrogant heroes have been. I just found him annoying, rather than seeing his point of view. And I got bored with the intrafamily machinations, which took up way too much space here. There were some nice moments – I especially liked Nick’s patience and concern when it came to Phila’s sexual issues – but overall, it just wasn’t on par with her other books.
I’m so terribly picky…
The Golden Chance by Jayne Ann Krentz
(1990, Contemporary) 1/30/08
Grade: 3.5
Nick Lightfoot sees a chance to return to the family fold – the stock shares now owned by Philadelphia Fox. The family is desperate to get those shares back, and Nick is willing to give it a try – but Phila isn’t quite what he expected…
It’s hard not to think of Family Man when reading this book, and unfortunately, this book suffers by comparison. The characters are just not explored in the same depth as they are in JAK’s better titles. Although Nick isn’t exactly an alpha jerk, I found him irritating – it’s not just that he was arrogant, but that he wasn’t explained and explored to the extent that some of JAK’s other arrogant heroes have been. I just found him annoying, rather than seeing his point of view. And I got bored with the intrafamily machinations, which took up way too much space here. There were some nice moments – I especially liked Nick’s patience and concern when it came to Phila’s sexual issues – but overall, it just wasn’t on par with her other books.
I’m so terribly picky…
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
A Christmas Wedding Wager by Michelle Styles
I had hopes for this one... alas...
A Christmas Wedding Wager by Michelle Styles
(2007, Victorian) 1/1/08
Grade: 3
Seven years after her romance with charity boy Jack Stanton ended, Emma Harrison has devoted herself to her father and his bridge-building. She has discovered her own interest in engineering, even though as a woman her options are limited. But when Jack returns, now a great success, will her dreams be destroyed - or will she find love as well?
Although I loved the setting and background of the book, I found the relationship between the hero and heroine frustrating. At the beginning, there are a lot of misunderstandings, and the hero treats the heroine quite badly - and yet, the heroine keeps saying how she can’t help falling in love with him. (Why?) I was especially frustrated by the odd pace of the book at the beginning - the supposedly serious heroine is worried about dangerous problems with the bridge, and yet fusses over dances and dresses. The hero says he admires the heroine’s work, then dismisses her. I got very tired of all of this, and just wanted these two to get a grip and talk to each other. But even when the characters did finally start getting along, there was still something odd about it - I just didn’t get the emotional connection between these two characters. Their relationship still felt stilted and strained. I actually had a hard time finishing this book - I can put up with plot contrivances if the emotions are there, but with these characters, I just couldn’t find a real emotional connection.
There was just something about this book that didn't work - the characters just rubbed me the wrong way, I guess. Hard to explain - like a shoe that just doesn't quite fit.
A Christmas Wedding Wager by Michelle Styles
(2007, Victorian) 1/1/08
Grade: 3
Seven years after her romance with charity boy Jack Stanton ended, Emma Harrison has devoted herself to her father and his bridge-building. She has discovered her own interest in engineering, even though as a woman her options are limited. But when Jack returns, now a great success, will her dreams be destroyed - or will she find love as well?
Although I loved the setting and background of the book, I found the relationship between the hero and heroine frustrating. At the beginning, there are a lot of misunderstandings, and the hero treats the heroine quite badly - and yet, the heroine keeps saying how she can’t help falling in love with him. (Why?) I was especially frustrated by the odd pace of the book at the beginning - the supposedly serious heroine is worried about dangerous problems with the bridge, and yet fusses over dances and dresses. The hero says he admires the heroine’s work, then dismisses her. I got very tired of all of this, and just wanted these two to get a grip and talk to each other. But even when the characters did finally start getting along, there was still something odd about it - I just didn’t get the emotional connection between these two characters. Their relationship still felt stilted and strained. I actually had a hard time finishing this book - I can put up with plot contrivances if the emotions are there, but with these characters, I just couldn’t find a real emotional connection.
There was just something about this book that didn't work - the characters just rubbed me the wrong way, I guess. Hard to explain - like a shoe that just doesn't quite fit.
One Way Out by Michele Albert
Unfortunately, my first read of 2008 was a disappointment - hopefully that isn't a sign! (Actually, I read most of it in 2007, but forced myself through the last couple of chapters after the ball dropped.)
One Way Out by Michele Albert
(2005, Suspense) 1/1/08
Grade: 2.5
After fossil hunter Cassie Ashton finds a rare baby rex, she is forced to cooperate with paleontologist Alex Martinelli, even though he’s annoying (and dangerously sexy!) But when someone steals Trixie, Cassie and Alex are forced to work together to save her - and themselves.
A book that started with a lot of promise, but went downhill quickly in the second half. The coolest part of the book was the background information on fossil hunting and paleontology - I loved that the characters were both devoted to their work, and got just as excited by bones as they did by each other. Their sexy banter was fun as well. However, the book turned into a run-of-the-mill, tedious suspense story when the t-rex was stolen, and after that, it was just blah, blah, blah. (Some of the developments were laughably ridiculous - we’re on the run, bad people are chasing us, so let’s have sex! twice! in the woods!) I went from liking these characters to finding them dumb and boring.
Sigh... I'm beginning to think I shouldn't even bother reading any suspense books, since it's so rare that I enjoy them.
One Way Out by Michele Albert
(2005, Suspense) 1/1/08
Grade: 2.5
After fossil hunter Cassie Ashton finds a rare baby rex, she is forced to cooperate with paleontologist Alex Martinelli, even though he’s annoying (and dangerously sexy!) But when someone steals Trixie, Cassie and Alex are forced to work together to save her - and themselves.
A book that started with a lot of promise, but went downhill quickly in the second half. The coolest part of the book was the background information on fossil hunting and paleontology - I loved that the characters were both devoted to their work, and got just as excited by bones as they did by each other. Their sexy banter was fun as well. However, the book turned into a run-of-the-mill, tedious suspense story when the t-rex was stolen, and after that, it was just blah, blah, blah. (Some of the developments were laughably ridiculous - we’re on the run, bad people are chasing us, so let’s have sex! twice! in the woods!) I went from liking these characters to finding them dumb and boring.
Sigh... I'm beginning to think I shouldn't even bother reading any suspense books, since it's so rare that I enjoy them.
Friday, December 28, 2007
2007 Summary
2007 isn't quite over yet, but I thought I'd go ahead and post my yearly summary. (I'm reading a suspense book right now that I'll probably finish by the end of the year, but it won't make my top list.)
I read 51 books in 2007, which is pretty good (unemployment will do that to you!) Unfortunately, I didn't read a keeper this year, and most of the books I read were in the "average" range.
I read five books (or stories) that I graded at 4.5, or approximately A-. I'd call these books very good, but with slight flaws - not quite keepers, but very enjoyable. They were:
Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
The Billionaire Next Door by Jessica Bird
A Bed Of Spices by Barbara Samuel
"Street Corners and Halos" by Catherine Spangler (short story)
Fantasies by Pamela Wallace
There were another 14 books that I graded at 4, or Good. (Equivalent to B+, roughly.) They were:
A Summer To Remember by Mary Balogh
One Night For Love by Mary Balogh
The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll
Twin Willows by Kay Cornelius
The Earl's Prize by Nicola Cornick
Deceived by Nicola Cornick
The Seduction by Laura Lee Guhrke
Dirty by Megan Hart
The Word of a Child by Janice Kay Johnson
Heavens To Betsy by Beth Pattillo
Creation In Death by J.D. Robb
Whom The Gods Love by Kate Ross
Still Life With Murder by P.B. Ryan
The American Duchess by Joan Wolf
The rest were graded at 3.5 or below - for the most part, books that were OK to read, but nothing special. Average or slightly above average. I suppose most books fall into this category, especially since I don't grade (or review) any book that I don't finish. With my limited reading time, I don't bother finishing a book that's not doing anything for me by page 50 or so, so a book has to be at least decent for me to grade it at all.
But there were three books that I gave a 2.5, which is almost the lowest grade I give. (I've given a few 2's in previous years, but these days I rarely finish a book that's that bad.) Usually these are books that, for some reason, I keep reading to the bitter end - it's by a favorite author and I keep thinking the book will get better, or it's a badly flawed book that has some glimmer of promise that keeps me reading. Those three books were:
Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
The Slightest Provocation by Pam Rosenthal
Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh
The astonishing thing is that one of these books is by Mary Balogh!! And there were two other books in this series that would have received even lower grades, since I didn't finish them. This is probably the biggest, most shocking news of my reading year - that my beloved Mary Balogh is writing books that I can't even finish. (As usual, I'm behind in my reading - these books came out a few years ago.) She has said in interviews that she no longer wants to write the emotional, angsty books that were once her trademark. She did redeem herself in my eyes by writing the lovely Slightly Dangerous, but it's still terribly sad for me. She was my last "auto buy" author, an author I'd always buy and enjoy, no matter what she wrote. Although I will continue to buy Balogh, I will no longer have that excitement and joy, anticipating the newest Balogh book - she'll just become another author whose next book might be enjoyable, or might not.
It's a bit like losing an old friend.
I read 51 books in 2007, which is pretty good (unemployment will do that to you!) Unfortunately, I didn't read a keeper this year, and most of the books I read were in the "average" range.
I read five books (or stories) that I graded at 4.5, or approximately A-. I'd call these books very good, but with slight flaws - not quite keepers, but very enjoyable. They were:
Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
The Billionaire Next Door by Jessica Bird
A Bed Of Spices by Barbara Samuel
"Street Corners and Halos" by Catherine Spangler (short story)
Fantasies by Pamela Wallace
There were another 14 books that I graded at 4, or Good. (Equivalent to B+, roughly.) They were:
A Summer To Remember by Mary Balogh
One Night For Love by Mary Balogh
The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll
Twin Willows by Kay Cornelius
The Earl's Prize by Nicola Cornick
Deceived by Nicola Cornick
The Seduction by Laura Lee Guhrke
Dirty by Megan Hart
The Word of a Child by Janice Kay Johnson
Heavens To Betsy by Beth Pattillo
Creation In Death by J.D. Robb
Whom The Gods Love by Kate Ross
Still Life With Murder by P.B. Ryan
The American Duchess by Joan Wolf
The rest were graded at 3.5 or below - for the most part, books that were OK to read, but nothing special. Average or slightly above average. I suppose most books fall into this category, especially since I don't grade (or review) any book that I don't finish. With my limited reading time, I don't bother finishing a book that's not doing anything for me by page 50 or so, so a book has to be at least decent for me to grade it at all.
But there were three books that I gave a 2.5, which is almost the lowest grade I give. (I've given a few 2's in previous years, but these days I rarely finish a book that's that bad.) Usually these are books that, for some reason, I keep reading to the bitter end - it's by a favorite author and I keep thinking the book will get better, or it's a badly flawed book that has some glimmer of promise that keeps me reading. Those three books were:
Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
The Slightest Provocation by Pam Rosenthal
Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh
The astonishing thing is that one of these books is by Mary Balogh!! And there were two other books in this series that would have received even lower grades, since I didn't finish them. This is probably the biggest, most shocking news of my reading year - that my beloved Mary Balogh is writing books that I can't even finish. (As usual, I'm behind in my reading - these books came out a few years ago.) She has said in interviews that she no longer wants to write the emotional, angsty books that were once her trademark. She did redeem herself in my eyes by writing the lovely Slightly Dangerous, but it's still terribly sad for me. She was my last "auto buy" author, an author I'd always buy and enjoy, no matter what she wrote. Although I will continue to buy Balogh, I will no longer have that excitement and joy, anticipating the newest Balogh book - she'll just become another author whose next book might be enjoyable, or might not.
It's a bit like losing an old friend.
Millionaire, Billionaire
Although this book doesn't really emphasize the money aspect, I find it amusing that we now have the "billionaire" next door. I guess millionaires are too commonplace now?
The Billionaire Next Door by Jessica Bird (SSE 1844)
(2007, Contemporary Series) 12/27/07
Grade: 4.5
Wall Street wizard Sean O’Banyon has it all, or so it seems. But when his father dies, and he goes back to his old home in Boston, the years of abuse come flooding back. The only thing keeping him together is Lizzie, the downstairs neighbor who excites his body and warms his heart - but can he learn to trust her, despite his past?
A great book that’s just a bit too short. The author does a great job in depicting these characters - the hero is particularly well done, although the heroine is a bit “too good to be true” - and also their strong chemistry together. It really felt like they were building a relationship, not just “instant love”. However, the ending was too rushed. Sean’s “big misunderstanding” actually made sense, in the context of his emotional issues, but there wasn’t enough time to really resolve it. (Although I appreciated that the heroine mentioned therapy - a realistic note that’s all too rare in romance.) This book could have easily gone on another 50 pages, and it would have been richer and more complete if it had.
Even though this book didn't quite hit keeper territory, it was so lovely to finally read a book that thrilled me. I was so glad to finally find a book with some real emotions and heart, I literally did the "happy dance" at one point while I was reading. (OK, that's a little weird, but it's been soooo long!)
The Billionaire Next Door by Jessica Bird (SSE 1844)
(2007, Contemporary Series) 12/27/07
Grade: 4.5
Wall Street wizard Sean O’Banyon has it all, or so it seems. But when his father dies, and he goes back to his old home in Boston, the years of abuse come flooding back. The only thing keeping him together is Lizzie, the downstairs neighbor who excites his body and warms his heart - but can he learn to trust her, despite his past?
A great book that’s just a bit too short. The author does a great job in depicting these characters - the hero is particularly well done, although the heroine is a bit “too good to be true” - and also their strong chemistry together. It really felt like they were building a relationship, not just “instant love”. However, the ending was too rushed. Sean’s “big misunderstanding” actually made sense, in the context of his emotional issues, but there wasn’t enough time to really resolve it. (Although I appreciated that the heroine mentioned therapy - a realistic note that’s all too rare in romance.) This book could have easily gone on another 50 pages, and it would have been richer and more complete if it had.
Even though this book didn't quite hit keeper territory, it was so lovely to finally read a book that thrilled me. I was so glad to finally find a book with some real emotions and heart, I literally did the "happy dance" at one point while I was reading. (OK, that's a little weird, but it's been soooo long!)
Sunday, November 25, 2007
New Book, Just Like The Old Book
It's always tricky for an author to write a continuing series. One reason I enjoy the J.D. Robb books is that they're well crafted procedurals, the book version of a Law and Order episode. But I find myself somewhat unsatisfied by the "same old same old" in this case...
Creation in Death by J.D. Robb
(2007, Futuristic Mystery) 11/24/07
Grade: 4
Eve is caught up in an old case - a serial killer is back, a killer that she and Feeney weren’t able to catch nine years earlier, when Eve was a rookie. As time runs out for the women he abducted and tortured, Eve and Roarke work the case and run down clues, trying to find the killer before he kills his last victim.
Another smooth entry in the J.D. Robb series. This one is pure procedural, with very little time for personal developments. It was well crafted, and easy to read as always, but didn’t have the spark of some of the other books. I enjoyed Roarke’s immersion in Eve’s world (and his annoyance at the tedium of police work), and the interesting hints about the Urban Wars, and it was certainly an enjoyable read, but nothing really special.
I think I need to stop buying these books in hardback. When I know I'm paying $15 or more for a book, I expect more from it - if I'd gotten this book from the library, or even bought it in paperback, I think my expectations would have been more easily fulfilled.
Creation in Death by J.D. Robb
(2007, Futuristic Mystery) 11/24/07
Grade: 4
Eve is caught up in an old case - a serial killer is back, a killer that she and Feeney weren’t able to catch nine years earlier, when Eve was a rookie. As time runs out for the women he abducted and tortured, Eve and Roarke work the case and run down clues, trying to find the killer before he kills his last victim.
Another smooth entry in the J.D. Robb series. This one is pure procedural, with very little time for personal developments. It was well crafted, and easy to read as always, but didn’t have the spark of some of the other books. I enjoyed Roarke’s immersion in Eve’s world (and his annoyance at the tedium of police work), and the interesting hints about the Urban Wars, and it was certainly an enjoyable read, but nothing really special.
I think I need to stop buying these books in hardback. When I know I'm paying $15 or more for a book, I expect more from it - if I'd gotten this book from the library, or even bought it in paperback, I think my expectations would have been more easily fulfilled.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
An Affair Before Christmas
I've actually never read Eloisa James before, although I met her at a previous CR conference, and I have several of her books in my TBR pile. I thought I'd be up-to-date for once, and read a newly released book!
An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James
(2007, Georgian) 11/10/07
Grade: 3.5
Although the marriage between Lady Perdita (Poppy) and the Duke of Fletcher started out as a love match, four years it’s turned into frosty coldness. Fletch decides to have an affair, which leads Poppy to discover who she is, other than a wife and daughter. And this leads their friends and acquaintances to reconsider their own relationships.
Eloisa James has a particular style - her main characters often take the back seat to numerous secondary characters. I found this style a bit frustrating at times, since the author jumps from one character to another (sometimes in the middle of a scene!) and sometimes the main story got short shrift. (The heroine’s sexual problems are resolved in one quick scene, and I thought they needed more space.) However, the Georgian world James has created is fascinating, and James does a good job in created well-rounded, sympathetic characters, even when the characters are doing things that aren’t that “likeable”. I read this book in a single sitting, so she was doing something right. I’m curious to see what happens next.
Series books that are closely related are hard for me. I'm someone who reads a book and loves it in the moment, but mostly forgets it once I'm done. Right now, the characters in this book are fresh in my mind, but once I've read a few more books, I'll have a hard time remembering them. The problem is, if the next book in this series comes out in six months or a year, I won't remember all the character development and plotting that the author worked so hard on in this book - to my forgetful mind, it will be like I've never read the author before. That makes it hard to really appreciate a multi-book series where the books are closely inter-related, unless I wait until all the books have been published and then read them back-to-back. That's a big committment.
So, will I buy the next book in this series? Unsure.
An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James
(2007, Georgian) 11/10/07
Grade: 3.5
Although the marriage between Lady Perdita (Poppy) and the Duke of Fletcher started out as a love match, four years it’s turned into frosty coldness. Fletch decides to have an affair, which leads Poppy to discover who she is, other than a wife and daughter. And this leads their friends and acquaintances to reconsider their own relationships.
Eloisa James has a particular style - her main characters often take the back seat to numerous secondary characters. I found this style a bit frustrating at times, since the author jumps from one character to another (sometimes in the middle of a scene!) and sometimes the main story got short shrift. (The heroine’s sexual problems are resolved in one quick scene, and I thought they needed more space.) However, the Georgian world James has created is fascinating, and James does a good job in created well-rounded, sympathetic characters, even when the characters are doing things that aren’t that “likeable”. I read this book in a single sitting, so she was doing something right. I’m curious to see what happens next.
Series books that are closely related are hard for me. I'm someone who reads a book and loves it in the moment, but mostly forgets it once I'm done. Right now, the characters in this book are fresh in my mind, but once I've read a few more books, I'll have a hard time remembering them. The problem is, if the next book in this series comes out in six months or a year, I won't remember all the character development and plotting that the author worked so hard on in this book - to my forgetful mind, it will be like I've never read the author before. That makes it hard to really appreciate a multi-book series where the books are closely inter-related, unless I wait until all the books have been published and then read them back-to-back. That's a big committment.
So, will I buy the next book in this series? Unsure.
Friday, October 26, 2007
An Unusual Georgian
Another Georgian masquerading as a Regency - for the most part, this could be a Regency, except for the references to lace cuffs and high heeled shoes (for the men!)
The Parfit Knight by Juliet Blyth
(1986, Georgian) 10/26/07
Grade: 3.5
Since a childhood accident, Rosalind has lived in the country, her routine making it easier to deal with her blindness. It’s only when the Marquis of Amberley is stranded on her doorstep that she realizes what she’s been missing, and decides to join her brother in London. But will secrets in Amberley’s past keep them apart?
There were a lot of good things about this book. The characters were well written, and the scenes in the country show the attraction between Amberley and Rosalind. But once the action moves to London, the book becomes crowded with characters and side plots. The secondary characters are interesting, but it takes away from the central love story, which is pushed off to the side for a large part of the book. And the “misunderstanding” between the hero and heroine goes on for too long, and keeps them apart during much of the second half. I enjoyed the book, but it didn’t reach the heights that it could have, if the author had followed through.
I found it hard to grade this book, because I read it in fits and starts over a period of a couple of weeks. Maybe I would have liked it more if I'd read it straight through - but if it had been a better book, I probably would have found the time to keep reading.
The Parfit Knight by Juliet Blyth
(1986, Georgian) 10/26/07
Grade: 3.5
Since a childhood accident, Rosalind has lived in the country, her routine making it easier to deal with her blindness. It’s only when the Marquis of Amberley is stranded on her doorstep that she realizes what she’s been missing, and decides to join her brother in London. But will secrets in Amberley’s past keep them apart?
There were a lot of good things about this book. The characters were well written, and the scenes in the country show the attraction between Amberley and Rosalind. But once the action moves to London, the book becomes crowded with characters and side plots. The secondary characters are interesting, but it takes away from the central love story, which is pushed off to the side for a large part of the book. And the “misunderstanding” between the hero and heroine goes on for too long, and keeps them apart during much of the second half. I enjoyed the book, but it didn’t reach the heights that it could have, if the author had followed through.
I found it hard to grade this book, because I read it in fits and starts over a period of a couple of weeks. Maybe I would have liked it more if I'd read it straight through - but if it had been a better book, I probably would have found the time to keep reading.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Not Quite Up To Par
I consider Cheryl St. John a buried treasure, and I'm always surprised she's not a more popular writer. Although I don't have any of her books as keepers, she's one of the most reliable romance writers today - even when she's not at the top of her game, her books are still worth reading. I can't say that about many other authors (even Mary Balogh has written some books I couldn't finish!).
Land of Dreams by Cheryl St. John
(1995, Western) 10/20/07
Grade: 3.5
Booker has come to Nebraska looking for his orphaned niece, who was taken in by spinster Thea. Little Zoe needs a mother, so Booker hires Thea as a housekeeper, and quickly realizes he’d rather have her as a wife. But Thea finds it hard to believe that anyone could love a tall, red-headed, older spinster like her.
Unfortunately, not one of Cheryl St. John’s best books. (It’s one of her earliest ones, and it shows.) Although the characters are well written (as always!), the relationship between Booker and Thea founders in the second half, in the wake of the “big misunderstanding”. The kids are cute (especially the hostile, abused teenager Luke) but this book just doesn’t have St. John’s usual flair and emotional appeal. Good, but not great.
I'm glad I have several more St. John books in my TBR pile - hopefully they'll be more satisfying than this one.
Land of Dreams by Cheryl St. John
(1995, Western) 10/20/07
Grade: 3.5
Booker has come to Nebraska looking for his orphaned niece, who was taken in by spinster Thea. Little Zoe needs a mother, so Booker hires Thea as a housekeeper, and quickly realizes he’d rather have her as a wife. But Thea finds it hard to believe that anyone could love a tall, red-headed, older spinster like her.
Unfortunately, not one of Cheryl St. John’s best books. (It’s one of her earliest ones, and it shows.) Although the characters are well written (as always!), the relationship between Booker and Thea founders in the second half, in the wake of the “big misunderstanding”. The kids are cute (especially the hostile, abused teenager Luke) but this book just doesn’t have St. John’s usual flair and emotional appeal. Good, but not great.
I'm glad I have several more St. John books in my TBR pile - hopefully they'll be more satisfying than this one.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Blah Series Books
I haven't been reading a lot lately - between moving and catching up on the new TV season (I love Reaper!), I haven't had much time. Now that I've unpacked my books, hopefully I'll get back to reading a little more.
But here are two older series books that I read in between unpacking boxes, both kind of blah, unfortunately.
A Chance of Rainbows by Anne McAllister
(1985, Contemporary Series) 9/4/07
Grade: 3
After seven months of marriage, Lainie is frustrated by her husband’s silences - until she comes home one night to find he’s moved out! Griff thinks the problem is Lainie’s demanding job as a marriage counselor, but is the real problem his memories of a turbulent childhood?
Surprisingly dull. I really wanted to like this book, because I usually enjoy “marriage in trouble” stories, but this one just didn’t do much for me. The characters were likeable, but the problems between them just didn’t seem that difficult to overcome. There were some interesting aspects of the book - I liked Lainie’s job as a marriage counselor, and I’ve never read about a hero who was an umpire, but the book just seemed predictable from the first page. Some authors can make a tried-and-true story come alive, but this one just fell flat.
Body and Soul by Janice Kaiser
(1990, Contemporary Series) 10/6/07
Grade:3
Derek Gordon has escaped to a remote cottage, to work on his book and escape the turmoil at home. His wife is in a nursing home, and his relationship with his stepson is unraveling. Despite his situation, he is immediately drawn to poet Lara Serenov, but knows he must stay away. But when her ex won’t take “No” for an answer, they are forced together.
Although the situation between Derek and Lara was poignant (and handled very sensitively), the book lacked something. One problem was the “instant attraction” between Derek and Lara. It seemed like the author put them together, said “they’re attracted” and then never really grew their relationship beyond that. Also, the situation with Lara’s ex-husband, seemed contrived, a way to get the hero and heroine together. But mostly, the book was just dull - I can’t explain exactly why, but despite the potentially heartrending situation, it just left me cold.
I have a large backlog of old series books, but I know that reading them is kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack - there are some great series reads, but there are a lot more that are just blah. But still, they're quick and easy to read, so I keep trying...
But here are two older series books that I read in between unpacking boxes, both kind of blah, unfortunately.
A Chance of Rainbows by Anne McAllister
(1985, Contemporary Series) 9/4/07
Grade: 3
After seven months of marriage, Lainie is frustrated by her husband’s silences - until she comes home one night to find he’s moved out! Griff thinks the problem is Lainie’s demanding job as a marriage counselor, but is the real problem his memories of a turbulent childhood?
Surprisingly dull. I really wanted to like this book, because I usually enjoy “marriage in trouble” stories, but this one just didn’t do much for me. The characters were likeable, but the problems between them just didn’t seem that difficult to overcome. There were some interesting aspects of the book - I liked Lainie’s job as a marriage counselor, and I’ve never read about a hero who was an umpire, but the book just seemed predictable from the first page. Some authors can make a tried-and-true story come alive, but this one just fell flat.
Body and Soul by Janice Kaiser
(1990, Contemporary Series) 10/6/07
Grade:3
Derek Gordon has escaped to a remote cottage, to work on his book and escape the turmoil at home. His wife is in a nursing home, and his relationship with his stepson is unraveling. Despite his situation, he is immediately drawn to poet Lara Serenov, but knows he must stay away. But when her ex won’t take “No” for an answer, they are forced together.
Although the situation between Derek and Lara was poignant (and handled very sensitively), the book lacked something. One problem was the “instant attraction” between Derek and Lara. It seemed like the author put them together, said “they’re attracted” and then never really grew their relationship beyond that. Also, the situation with Lara’s ex-husband, seemed contrived, a way to get the hero and heroine together. But mostly, the book was just dull - I can’t explain exactly why, but despite the potentially heartrending situation, it just left me cold.
I have a large backlog of old series books, but I know that reading them is kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack - there are some great series reads, but there are a lot more that are just blah. But still, they're quick and easy to read, so I keep trying...
Monday, August 27, 2007
Chemistry Is All
After reading The Earl's Prize, I had to run out and find Juliana's story, although I read a few books between the two!
Wayward Widow by Nicola Cornick
(2003, Regency) 8/26/07
Grade: 3
Wicked widow Juliana Myfleet is notorious among the ton for her gambling and outrageous stunts. But underneath it all, Juliana is lonely and uses “fun” to divert her from the emptiness of her life. When she meets serious aspiring politician Martin Davencourt (after a childhood acquaintance) she can’t take him seriously - but also can’t help but be attracted.
Surprisingly disappointing, considering how much I enjoyed the previous book. I love an experienced heroine, but there was something about Juliana that just didn’t ring true, especially when it came to her relationship with Martin. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but there just weren’t any sparks between them. Martin, in particular, didn’t seem to have a lot of personality other than his devotion to his siblings. But still, I would have graded it a bit higher if it hadn’t been for a “twist” in the final chapter, which came out of nowhere and didn’t add anything to the story other than a big “huh?” It made no sense and ended the story on an odd, almost creepy note.
Sometimes I feel sorry for authors. Why does one couple sparkle together, while another couple just fizzles? It's a factor that will make or break a book for me, and yet I can't explain exactly why one book works and another doesn't, even by the same author! I'll stick to my chemistry in the laboratory... it's more reliable!
Wayward Widow by Nicola Cornick
(2003, Regency) 8/26/07
Grade: 3
Wicked widow Juliana Myfleet is notorious among the ton for her gambling and outrageous stunts. But underneath it all, Juliana is lonely and uses “fun” to divert her from the emptiness of her life. When she meets serious aspiring politician Martin Davencourt (after a childhood acquaintance) she can’t take him seriously - but also can’t help but be attracted.
Surprisingly disappointing, considering how much I enjoyed the previous book. I love an experienced heroine, but there was something about Juliana that just didn’t ring true, especially when it came to her relationship with Martin. I can’t put my finger on it exactly, but there just weren’t any sparks between them. Martin, in particular, didn’t seem to have a lot of personality other than his devotion to his siblings. But still, I would have graded it a bit higher if it hadn’t been for a “twist” in the final chapter, which came out of nowhere and didn’t add anything to the story other than a big “huh?” It made no sense and ended the story on an odd, almost creepy note.
Sometimes I feel sorry for authors. Why does one couple sparkle together, while another couple just fizzles? It's a factor that will make or break a book for me, and yet I can't explain exactly why one book works and another doesn't, even by the same author! I'll stick to my chemistry in the laboratory... it's more reliable!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
All Or Nothing
I've read a couple of Claire Cross's medievals, but I wasn't even aware that she'd switched to contemporary until a read a review of this book. It seemed like a good fit for my current situation (I'm moving and running arround trying to get things ready, so light hearted books are appealing at the moment) so I splurged.
All Or Nothing by Claire Cross
(Contemporary, 2007) 8/20/07
Grade: 3.5
When Jen needs a date for Thanksgiving with her family, she decides to invite a corporate suit, who’ll annoy her family and get her off the hook. But she makes the wrong choice with Zach, the onetime black sheep of his family who is trying to make a new life for himself, and would like to do it with Jen! But is she willing to start a new life as well?
A pleasant surprise. Although I was expecting this book to be light and fun (as advertised), it dealt with some surprisingly serious themes - Jen’s recovery from cancer, Zach’s past with drugs and his guilt over his father’s suicide - while still keeping a light-hearted tone. The author excels in creating interesting and unique characters, from the hero and heroine to the many secondary characters (especially Jen’s family). The book was just enjoyable and fun to read. However, there were some flaws, especially in the last section. The “joke” about Zach and Jen getting married went on for too long, and it shortcut a real discussion about the future of their relationship (because any time they started to address it, they would just fall back on “oh, it’s just a joke, ha ha”) It got old. Also, the last quarter of the book was overstuffed with characters from previous books, and it seemed like they were only there to update readers of the series. Minor flaws, but I had to drop my grade just a bit because of that.
I understand that publishers need to make money. But at least for this romance reader, the increasing use of trade-size paperbacks is backfiring. I was very reluctant to buy this book at this price, and I only splurged because I had an Amazon gift certificate I had to use right away. I'm just not likely to take a chance on an author if I have to pay $14 for the privilege, and I rarely find trades at the library or the used bookstore. And I never know if a trade-size book is going to come out in regular paperback - most of them don't ever make it to mass market, or it takes several years. So it's "all or nothing" - I have to pay full price or I can't buy the book at all. I enjoyed this book, but will I pay $14 for her next one? Doubtful. It wasn't that great. I probably would buy it if I could pick it up for $6 or $7 (or even $8). Trades may attract the non-romance reader who thinks a trade size book is more "respectable" than a regular paperback. But this book was a fairly traditional contemporary romance, and I'm afraid a lot of romance readers have the same attitude toward trades that I do - will the non-romance buyers make up for the loss of romance readers?
All Or Nothing by Claire Cross
(Contemporary, 2007) 8/20/07
Grade: 3.5
When Jen needs a date for Thanksgiving with her family, she decides to invite a corporate suit, who’ll annoy her family and get her off the hook. But she makes the wrong choice with Zach, the onetime black sheep of his family who is trying to make a new life for himself, and would like to do it with Jen! But is she willing to start a new life as well?
A pleasant surprise. Although I was expecting this book to be light and fun (as advertised), it dealt with some surprisingly serious themes - Jen’s recovery from cancer, Zach’s past with drugs and his guilt over his father’s suicide - while still keeping a light-hearted tone. The author excels in creating interesting and unique characters, from the hero and heroine to the many secondary characters (especially Jen’s family). The book was just enjoyable and fun to read. However, there were some flaws, especially in the last section. The “joke” about Zach and Jen getting married went on for too long, and it shortcut a real discussion about the future of their relationship (because any time they started to address it, they would just fall back on “oh, it’s just a joke, ha ha”) It got old. Also, the last quarter of the book was overstuffed with characters from previous books, and it seemed like they were only there to update readers of the series. Minor flaws, but I had to drop my grade just a bit because of that.
I understand that publishers need to make money. But at least for this romance reader, the increasing use of trade-size paperbacks is backfiring. I was very reluctant to buy this book at this price, and I only splurged because I had an Amazon gift certificate I had to use right away. I'm just not likely to take a chance on an author if I have to pay $14 for the privilege, and I rarely find trades at the library or the used bookstore. And I never know if a trade-size book is going to come out in regular paperback - most of them don't ever make it to mass market, or it takes several years. So it's "all or nothing" - I have to pay full price or I can't buy the book at all. I enjoyed this book, but will I pay $14 for her next one? Doubtful. It wasn't that great. I probably would buy it if I could pick it up for $6 or $7 (or even $8). Trades may attract the non-romance reader who thinks a trade size book is more "respectable" than a regular paperback. But this book was a fairly traditional contemporary romance, and I'm afraid a lot of romance readers have the same attitude toward trades that I do - will the non-romance buyers make up for the loss of romance readers?
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Are You A Blue Cow?
I've picked up a bit of Regency cant over the years, but "blue cow" is a new one to me. I'm not sure what this one means, but the heroine is called a "blue cow" several times...
Wife Errant by Joan Smith
(1992, Regency) 8/18/07
Grade: 3
Tess is at her wit's end. Her father is running around with a notorious widow, and her mother is threatening divorce. No one is considering how the scandal will affect Tess and her younger sister Dulcie! In desparation, Tess approaches Lord Revel, a neighbor and rake, to give her parents a wake-up call. This relationship is just supposed to be an act... isn’t it?
A perky Regency, by an author who knows far too much about Regency cant, and is determined to throw it into any scene she can. The story itself is fluff, and the characters rather stereotypical, but still, the characters are entertaining, and it was fun for a while. I got tired of it by the end - the characters just didn’t have a lot of depth, and the story got repetitive by the last chapters.
I suppose this would be considered an "old style Regency" although Joan Smith continued writing this type of book well into the 1990's. This one had a definite zest, although it needed a better plot to keep the characters interesting.
Wife Errant by Joan Smith
(1992, Regency) 8/18/07
Grade: 3
Tess is at her wit's end. Her father is running around with a notorious widow, and her mother is threatening divorce. No one is considering how the scandal will affect Tess and her younger sister Dulcie! In desparation, Tess approaches Lord Revel, a neighbor and rake, to give her parents a wake-up call. This relationship is just supposed to be an act... isn’t it?
A perky Regency, by an author who knows far too much about Regency cant, and is determined to throw it into any scene she can. The story itself is fluff, and the characters rather stereotypical, but still, the characters are entertaining, and it was fun for a while. I got tired of it by the end - the characters just didn’t have a lot of depth, and the story got repetitive by the last chapters.
I suppose this would be considered an "old style Regency" although Joan Smith continued writing this type of book well into the 1990's. This one had a definite zest, although it needed a better plot to keep the characters interesting.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
What Makes A Book Sexy?
I've had mixed results with Lisa Cach - she wrote a short story that was a keeper for me, but her longer books haven't been very successful so far. But based on her previous works, I thought she might be able to to write something fun and sexy.
The Erotic Secrets of a French Maid by Lisa Cach
(2006, Contemporary) 8/17/07
Grade: 3
In order to make ends meet while trying to find a job as an architect, Emma took a part-time job cleaning houses. But she didn’t expect to meet a sexy client like Russ! Workaholic nerd Russ thinks Emma is out of his league. But when she suggests that she might like to be his mistress - and when Russ mistakenly takes her up on it - things begin to get interesting.
At first, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well written and unique, and the author took a lighthearted approach to the sex scenes that made them fun and erotic. But instead of the sex getting more fun and enjoyable as the book went on, it became awkward and joyless instead. (Supposedly they found more satisfaction as they fell in love, but the sex scenes just became more tedious instead of sexier.) I got frustrated as the hero and heroine persisted in their misunderstandings, and pushed each other away, long past the point when it made sense. I was really hoping that Lisa Cach could write an erotic novel that was both heartfelt and fun, but this one just fell flat.
I keep hoping that some author will write an erotic novel that has sex scenes that are fun and joyful. Even though sex is supposed to be enjoyable, most sex scenes in erotica seem more like work, even when the characters are purportedly happy. Most erotic authors just don't capture the playful, fun aspects of sex. One of the sexiest books I've ever read was a Harlequin Temptation from 1991 - Forbidden Fantasy by Tiffany White. The characters don't actually have intercourse until almost the end of the book, but the whole book is extended foreplay - scenarios that make sex lighthearted and teasing and fun. I find that much more appealing than the approach of most erotica, which seems to take all the fun out of sex and turns it into homework.
The Erotic Secrets of a French Maid by Lisa Cach
(2006, Contemporary) 8/17/07
Grade: 3
In order to make ends meet while trying to find a job as an architect, Emma took a part-time job cleaning houses. But she didn’t expect to meet a sexy client like Russ! Workaholic nerd Russ thinks Emma is out of his league. But when she suggests that she might like to be his mistress - and when Russ mistakenly takes her up on it - things begin to get interesting.
At first, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well written and unique, and the author took a lighthearted approach to the sex scenes that made them fun and erotic. But instead of the sex getting more fun and enjoyable as the book went on, it became awkward and joyless instead. (Supposedly they found more satisfaction as they fell in love, but the sex scenes just became more tedious instead of sexier.) I got frustrated as the hero and heroine persisted in their misunderstandings, and pushed each other away, long past the point when it made sense. I was really hoping that Lisa Cach could write an erotic novel that was both heartfelt and fun, but this one just fell flat.
I keep hoping that some author will write an erotic novel that has sex scenes that are fun and joyful. Even though sex is supposed to be enjoyable, most sex scenes in erotica seem more like work, even when the characters are purportedly happy. Most erotic authors just don't capture the playful, fun aspects of sex. One of the sexiest books I've ever read was a Harlequin Temptation from 1991 - Forbidden Fantasy by Tiffany White. The characters don't actually have intercourse until almost the end of the book, but the whole book is extended foreplay - scenarios that make sex lighthearted and teasing and fun. I find that much more appealing than the approach of most erotica, which seems to take all the fun out of sex and turns it into homework.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Reaching But Not Finding
What is Harlequin trying to do with Harlequin Everlasting? I can't quite figure it out. In theory, I like the idea of exploring long term relationships. It's a nice change to read about an established couple, rather than the typical courtship story. But I'm not sure if this series line is the answer.
The Marriage Bed by Judith Arnold (HE 7)
(2007, Contemporary Series) 8/11/07
Grade: 3.5
37 years after Drew Foster left Joelle pregnant and alone, he’s come back, asking for help to save his son. Joelle married childhood friend Bobby DeFranco, and they built a happy life together, but they never told their daughter that she wasn’t Bobby’s biological child. Will their family survive the secrets that Drew stirred up with his unexpected visit?
An interesting book that tries to do too much in a relatively short space. (A problem that plagues many of the Harlequin Everlasting titles.) The book is split between the present and flashbacks of Joelle and Bobby’s early life together. These flashbacks are important and poignant, but they take up a lot of space in a 270 page book, which leaves the present-day scenes feeling shortchanged. I also found the family’s reactions to the revelation a bit overwrought (maybe because I’m adopted and it just didn’t seem that earthshattering to me). The over-the-top reaction sometimes seemed more of a plot device than a real emotional response. And yet, the connection between Bobby and Joelle is always there, and it holds together the book even when the structure feels forced. This book was definitely flawed, but the strong characterization of the hero and heroine made it worth reading despite those flaws.
I'm reminded of a series book from the 1990's, A Husband By Any Other Name by Cheryl St. John. The premise has some similarities to this book - a long married couple is rocked by a secret from the past - but somehow, Cheryl St. John was able to make the story work despite the short length. (But, then, Cheryl St. John can do most anything, so maybe it's an unfair comparison. :->)
The Marriage Bed by Judith Arnold (HE 7)
(2007, Contemporary Series) 8/11/07
Grade: 3.5
37 years after Drew Foster left Joelle pregnant and alone, he’s come back, asking for help to save his son. Joelle married childhood friend Bobby DeFranco, and they built a happy life together, but they never told their daughter that she wasn’t Bobby’s biological child. Will their family survive the secrets that Drew stirred up with his unexpected visit?
An interesting book that tries to do too much in a relatively short space. (A problem that plagues many of the Harlequin Everlasting titles.) The book is split between the present and flashbacks of Joelle and Bobby’s early life together. These flashbacks are important and poignant, but they take up a lot of space in a 270 page book, which leaves the present-day scenes feeling shortchanged. I also found the family’s reactions to the revelation a bit overwrought (maybe because I’m adopted and it just didn’t seem that earthshattering to me). The over-the-top reaction sometimes seemed more of a plot device than a real emotional response. And yet, the connection between Bobby and Joelle is always there, and it holds together the book even when the structure feels forced. This book was definitely flawed, but the strong characterization of the hero and heroine made it worth reading despite those flaws.
I'm reminded of a series book from the 1990's, A Husband By Any Other Name by Cheryl St. John. The premise has some similarities to this book - a long married couple is rocked by a secret from the past - but somehow, Cheryl St. John was able to make the story work despite the short length. (But, then, Cheryl St. John can do most anything, so maybe it's an unfair comparison. :->)
Can't Win Them All
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.
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.
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