Tempting the Bride by Sherry Thomas

October 8, 2012

Don't run away mad!  Your may get run over by a horse!  You may lose your...oops, too late.

http://sherrythomas.com/

I love Sherry Thomas!  I've thought her voice was magnificent ever since she made her appearance four years ago.  However, when she introduced the Fitzhugh family series I knew I was in for a rough ride.  You see, this series was jammed packed with my numerous pet peeves and triggers.  But, I thought - hey - this is Sherry Thomas, she can pull it off.  So, I held my breath as each story in the series was released.

It's been an interesting journey because most of the characters in the series haven't been all that likeable.  Ms. Thomas was able to redeem the previous characters enough to satisfy me.  Now we come to Hastings (hero) and Helena (heroine).  Insert sigh here.

As I read Tempting the Bride I felt as if Ms. Thomas was channeling Rosemary Rogers' Sweet Savage Love.  Such an unpleasant, bickering couple who seemed to be auditioning for their own realty show.  All that negative name-calling I hate you stuff was really t-o-o much.

Supposedly, Hastings fell in love with Helena when they were young.  She was his dream girl, which doesn't say too much of him if she was his dream.  Yipes!

Helena.  Helena is one of the most selfish, hateful shrews I've read in a long time.  She doesn't have a rotten childhood so there's no excuse for her actions.  She's in love with Martin the married man, a wuss if ever I saw one.  She has pseudo sex with him - that's when you do everything but "it."  Because our heroines must be pure!  Anyway, she is told repetitively to stay away from him.  Her family goes through all kinds of gyrations to keep her and their reputations from harm.  But she disregards it all.

Banter.  I enjoy couple who banter; I love that snappy come back.  I can only assume that the conversations exchanged between Helena and Hastings were supposed to be bantering, but to my ears/eyes it came across as downright hateful.

Horses.  Watch out for those horses.  They show up at the most convenient plot turns.  Tempting the Bride is divided into three sections: "the I'm mean and nasty and I run into a horses hoof," "the after the horse hoof collision amnesia," and "I remember I hate you despite the horse."

The best part of the book is "the after the horse hoof collision amnesia."  The writing in this part is wonderful.  It's filled with vivid colors and scenes.  We are introduced to Hastings' illegitimate child, who I think is autistic.  All of the relationships and characters during this part were a joy to read.  There is even an interesting book within a book story in this section which is quite fascinating.  I just wish this section had been longer, but we all know that horse hoof amnesia can't last forever.  We then have the return of the mean girl and the call you names hero.  He does apologize for the name, so that must make it ok.  Just like a reality show.

I was disappointed in Tempting the Bride.  For me it was the weakest in the series.  The characters were too mean-spirited for way too long.  Ms. Thomas is an author of whom I have high expectations but in this case, they were not met.  The plot line had a disjointed, rushed feel about it.  Sorry to say Tempting the Bride didn't work for me.

Time/Place: Late Victorian England

Sensuality: Hot

The Way to a Duke's Heart by Caroline Linden

October 3, 2012

Keep on Truckin'

http://www.carolinelinden.com/

The first words out of my mouth must be - don't give up on The Way to a Duke's Heart! Yes, it starts off slowly and I confess that I almost gave up on it. However, I'm glad I kept on reading, because the payoff was delightful!

This is a very satisfying conclusion to The Truth About the Duke series and we finally get to learn what that truth is.

The Way to a Duke's Heart is the last in the deLacey brother trilogy, the eldest rapscallion, Charles. Charles is teamed up with Tessa, a very different type of heroine. And, let me say this about Tessa - when I started to read Tessa's character, I was concerned that I wasn't going to be particularly fond of her. She was cold, remote and prickly. A lot of times she was prickly for no particular reason that I could see. However, somewhere along the way I found that I had softened toward her, dare I say even grown fond of her.

Charles, on the other hand, I liked from the very beginning. Even though he was painted as being a bad boy, a bit of a rake, he had a gentle soul that was considerably bruised from his past.

When these two finally get together, they make quite a charming couple. They both have issues and secrets - but they turn to each other, confide and against all normal Romanceland patterns they do not have any big misunderstandings. And, much to my surprise, there was only a small token "I'm not good enough," but that was over quickly.

But, it wasn't only the romance in this story that's entertaining... no siree. The solution to the mystery surrounding the deLacey's birth had a bit of a nice twist to it which I found very interesting. And, let me say something about loose ends: I am usually of the opinion that loose ends need to be tied. However, there is a major loose end in this book that is left dangling. I'm not going to spoil it but here's a hint - it involves Charles and his past and something he doesn't know. I was actually pleased that Ms. Linden didn't resolve it, because just as in real life, not everything is tied up in a nice neat bundle.

There was also a lovely, poignant moment when Charles realizes that he is/was as much to blame for what happened to him as his father was. But, it is too late for him to make any atonement because his father is dead.

So, I do recommend this story, even with the slow start. In the end it is quite magical.

Time/Place: Regency England

Sensuality: Hot!!

On My Radar October 15-November 14, 2012!!!

September 29, 2012

Sabrina Jeffries

http://www.sabrinajeffries.com/

Twas the Night After Christmas

Hardcover

Release date, October 30, 2012

9781451642469

Julie Anne Long

http://www.julieannelong.com/

A Notorious Countess Confesses

Pennyroyal Green series

Release date, October 30, 2012

9780062118028 

Cathy Maxwell

http://www.cathymaxwell.com/

The Scottish Witch

The Chattan Curse series

Release date, October 30, 2012

9780062070234 

Maggie Robinson

http://www.maggierobinson.net/

Lord Gray's List

May be trade size

The London List series

Release date, October 27, 2012

9780758269096

Maya Rodale

http://www.mayarodale.com/

Seducing Mr. Knightley

Writer Girls series

Release date, October 30, 2012

9780062088949 

Tracy Anne Warren

http://www.tracyannewarren.com/

The Princess and the Highlander

Princess series

Release date, November 6, 2012

9780451238436 

The Title Caught My Eye:

Anna Lee Huber, debut

http://www.annaleehuber.com/

The Anatomist's Wife

Lady Darcy series

Trade size

Release date, November 6, 2012

9780425253281 

For a more complete upcoming release list see Hey Delia!

Sins of a Virgin by Anna Randol

September 21, 2012

"Cipher!
Cipher, Cipher bo Bipher Bonana fanna fo Fipher
Fee fy mo Mipher, Cipher!

Come on everybody!
I say now let's play a game
I betcha I can make a rhyme out of anybody's name
The first letter of the name, I treat it like it wasn't there
But a B or an F or an M will appear
And then I say bo add a B then I say the name and Bonana fanna and a
fo
And then I say the name again with an F very plain
and a fee fy and a mo
And then I say the name again with an M this time
and there isn't any name that I can't rhyme

Wrath!
Wrath, Wrath bo Brath Bonana fanna fo Frath
Fee fy mo Mrath, Wrath!

La Petit!
La Petit, La Petit bo Ba Petit"...aaakkkkk!

http://www.annarandol.com/Public/default.aspx

Spoilers ahead.  I gotta say this was a hard week, pick one book up - start reading - lose interest - put down - pick up, etc.  So, when I started reading Anna Randol's Sins of a Virgin, I was behind my time schedule. I had to finish this one whether I liked it or not.  Sins of a Virgin is the beginning of the Sinners Trio, about three ex-spies: Cipher, Wrath and La Petit.  This one is La Petit's story or, as she is called in this tale, Madeline.  Her knight in shining is Gabriel, who also happens to be a Bow Street Runner.  And, once again I must question the smarts-o-rameter readings of this particular runner.  How did anything get solved in ye' ole England?  You would think if you were questioning the background of the lady you lust after and you were introduced to the other two in the group who keep addressing each other by the names of Cipher and Wrath, a light bulb would go off.  And they are secretive, and sneak in windows, and quietly pull out knives and guns.  You would maybe ask, hey, why are you calling each other weird names?  Why are you guys so - I don't know – stealth-like?  But, noooooo, Gabriel doesn't.  So, Gabriel isn't the brightest wick on the candle.

Anyway, we are introduced to Madeline and Gabriel.  Here is the plot: Madeline did not get paid enough severance pay so she is going to sell her virginity to the highest bidder at an auction, and even though we are led to believe that she used her body when she was a spy, we are never sure whether she is or isn't a virgin.  Now for some reason Gabriel is ordered to guard her, but he doesn't want to because he is trying to solve the murder of his sister and that murder happened seven years ago.  Oh, and he's illegitimate and hates his father.  Of course, someone from Madeline's past is trying to kill her, and it just might be one of the men on the auction list.  And you know what else?  All the men on that list are also suspects in Gabriel's sister’s murder.  So, Gabriel thinks, hey, I can watch this woman who hides a knife under her skirt and solve my sister’s murder at the same time.  Then we have all the secondary characters, a lot of red herring suspects and the real murderer who I knew was the killer as soon as he made his appearance.  And, that's most of the plot.

For me this book failed as a romance.  I never understood why they loved each other.  They treated each other abominably, she lied, mistrusted, pretended her way through most of the book.  She wanted to earn her money as a prostitute – but you better never call her a whore, ‘cause she might get mad at you.  He was a little gentler, but he also had problems in the trust department.  And it took an eternity for Madeline to tell him the truth. Even after the third attempt on her life, she had problems confiding in him. It wasn't until they started working together that the book started to work for me, but that was after I was three-fourths of the way through.  So, it was too little, too late.  I found the two characters, especially Madeline, too dark for my taste.

This doesn't mean I'm giving up on Ms. Randol.  I've heard numerous good things about her.  Just because the first book I've read by her wasn't my cup of tea, doesn't mean the next one won't work for me.  So I will be checking out the next book in the series and we will see what happens.  

Time/Place: Regency England

Sensuality: Hot

A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare

September 13, 2012

"I'm not good enough" routine... good or bad?

http://tessadare.com/
Welcome back to Spindle Cove! Spoilers ahead! In the latest addition to the series by Tessa Dare, A Lady by Midnight, we have the story of Colonel Thorne and Kate. Remember Kate? She's the one with the birthmark on her face, and the Colonel is the one that went still when he saw her playing a piano. We finally get to find out why he went still in this book, and it is more than just being love stunned. But, I'm not going to tell you why, you have to read the book to find out.

I loved this story. Both Thorne and Kate were strong characters and unlike some other books I didn't prefer one over the other; I liked both equally. Thorne is a rough, smoldering man. He is barely literate, he doesn't say pretty things or pick lovely flowers. He has a horrible childhood, beginning with growing up in a brothel, and an almost equally horrendous adulthood. He has done things that are unspeakable and not hero-like, but Ms. Dare has made him into a very sympathetic person, someone I was rooting for throughout the whole book.

Then we have Kate, another strong character. Because of her birthmark she has a strong sense of not being beautiful, which affects how she thinks other people perceive her. But what I thought overwhelmed her character was her need to love and be loved. She wants to be part of a family so much. However, at no time in the book was she ever a whiney irritating heroine. Her claiming of Badger (the dog) as her own was wonderful to watch. So, who does she fall in love with? Someone who cannot say "I love you."

Now, there is a part in this book that some readers are going to grumble about. Somewhere along the line Kate's family show up and it is revealed that she is a little higher up the ladder than originally thought, which leads Thorne down the "I'm not good enough" routine. Normally, I would find this irritating; however, in this case I understood his reaction and found it believable. In fact, his I'm not good enough started long before he discovered who she was. He never ever thought he was good enough for her. It wasn't so much that she was too good for him, it was that he wasn't "good" enough for her. And, there is a difference. Sometimes the space between two people is insurmountable and only in romance novels can it be bridged. Even if she hadn't turned out to be a "lady," they would still be two totally unequal individuals. So, for me I didn't mind his "I'm not worthy" routine.

And, then there is Spindle Cove. I love the people in Spindle Cove and when Ms. Dare leaves this series I'm going to miss it. It's like reading a Masterpiece Theater presentation. This is a very romantic book and you are going to just love Thorne as a hero, because he is nothing at all like a hero should be. I do highly recommend this book with a grumpy hero and a persistent heroine.

Time/Place: Victorian England

Sensuality Rating: Hot

Midnight Scandals by Carolyn Jewel, Courtney Milan and Sherry Thomas

September 6, 2012

The art of villain metamorphosis

I was so excited when I saw that these three authors were doing an anthology together.  Love love love most of their works.  I am of course speaking of Carolyn Jewel, Courtney Milan, and Sherry Thomas.  Since this is an anthology, there is always a chance that the stories will not be as good as a full length novel.  I always find it interesting to see how authors I really consider to be powerhouses handle short stories.  And, in this case I wasn't disappointed.  Now, were there some moments of my not liking a particular part of the story.  Of course there were!  None of the stories were without a little bump in the road.  However, for me this was an enjoyable read and I do recommend it, especially if you are looking for something quick to take the summer blues away. 

The stories in Midnight Scandals are loosely connected by being in a place called Doyle's Grange, but at different time periods.  It was a nice connection.

http://www.carolynjewel.com/index.php

The first story is One Starlit Night, by Carolyn Jewel, and it takes place in 1815.  Carolyn Jewel can write some of the hottest love scenes around and this little tome has some steam just rolling off of those pages.  SSSSsss.  This story is one of lost love/found love.  A couple (Crispin and Portia), who were in love when they were young, find each other again.  There is a lot of pain for them to overcome and they have a whole lot of trouble talking to each other.  Usually when a couple don't talk to each other I get irritated, but in this case the wall they had to get through to communicate didn't irritate me.  In fact, I could feel the pain they were having... it was depressing.  Great job on the depressing!  And, give a hardy welcome to a woman who could be nominated for the Mommie Dearest award, except she's not the mom, she's the sister-in-law. She steps on crocuses, for Pete's sake!!!  I bet she pulls dogs' ears, too.

Time/Place: 1815 England

B+
http://www.courtneymilan.com/

The second tale is What Happened at Midnight, by Courtney Milan.  Now we have a really creepy villain.  In fact, I thought this guy almost stole the whole show - what an interesting second story-line! I hope Ms. Milan has plans to do a follow-up on Sir Walter Patsworth and his wife Lady Patsworth.  There was some wonderful humdinger angst surrounding this couple and it deserves a book of its own.  Very interesting stuff.  But, hey, the story isn't about them, it's about Mary and John.  By the way, these two are not aristocrats.  They are, however, also lost/found lovers.  This couple was able to talk - that is, when Mary could escape from her employer they could talk.  Her employer is Sir Walter, the truly creepy villain.  The center love story involves the slow growth of trust once it's lost.  Not as hot as Jewel's work, but the disturbing Sir Walter makes up for that.  I can't tell you too much about Walter and his wife, but I loved the way the newspaper/wife scenes were written.  Truly shiver-worthy.

Time/Place: 1853 England

B
http://sherrythomas.com/

The third installment is Sherry Thomas' with Dance at Midnight.  Remember the vile woman from Ravishing the Heiress?  The one who wanted the married man, didn't seem to care about what her children thought about her living with a married man, showed up at train stations when not asked to?  Remember loathsome Isabelle?  Well, she has her own story.  I really disliked her intensely in Ravishing the Heiress, but in this book she is completely different.  There isn't anything that is recognizable between this woman and the knife-in-the-back woman from the novel.  I liked this Isabelle; the author made her a totally sympathetic character.  And, if I hadn't seen her in action in RtH, I would have been able to buy into her transformation in this story.  The other thing I had a slight problem with was Fitz, our hero, being identical in looks to Fitzhugh, the husband from Ravishing the Heiress.  Some of my ick factor kicked in, but my ick factor came on big time when the two lovers Fitz (Fitzwilliam, not Fitzhugh) and Isabelle started talking about the fun sex lives they had with their dearly departed spouses.  I did enjoy their correspondence and discussion, but not necessarily the "I did this with my dead wife on the table"  excerpts. (She wasn't dead when they had sex by the way - that would really be an ick moment.)  I believe these exchanges of past sex lives were supposed to be titillating, and Isabelle seemed to be aroused but I had an EEEWWWWW moment or two. 

Time/Place: 1890's England

B-

Overall, Midnight Scandals is a good book with just a few bumps.  You really can't go too wrong with Courtney Milan, Sherry Thomas and Carolyn Jewel.

The Map of Lost Memories by Kim Fay

September 4, 2012 

Is a civilization lost if the indigenous people know it's there? 

http://www.kimfay.net/
Well, once again I believe I may be in the minority. From what I can see all around me, this is fast becoming a "luv luv luv" book, but for me it was just ok, with possibilities of "could have been great."

What I like: This book just oozed with a feel of time and place. The smells, sounds and heat of Saigon, Shanghai and Cambodia steamed off of the pages. And, the glimpse of the ancient Khmer civilization was memorizing. I wish there had been more of this, however, this book is not a travelogue but an adventure story of sorts. It is with the adventure story that I have a problem.

This is an adventure story along the lines of Indiana Jones, but unlike Indiana Jones I didn't like any of the characters and nothing was really exciting. The characters are well-developed, but they are all painted with such a greedy, selfish brush that I didn't care whether they succeeded in getting the secret scrolls or not. In my opinion, this is the weak point of an otherwise good work. This reader has to care about at least one person in a book and I didn't.

However, I do think this is a well written book, and some of you are going to "luv" this story. It did make me think about cultures and past civilizations and our fascination with them. Are we intrigued with what the cultures were when they were alive or are we fascinated by what they left behind?

Time/Place: 1925, Saigon, Shanghai, Cambodia
Sensuality: Kiss