Review: How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long

Title: How the Marquess Was Won
Author: Julie Anne Long
Graded: A+

This story was my first by this author and I am absolutely charmed! The dialogue between the H/h simply sizzles and burns. It seduces the reader with witty banter, tongue-in-cheek innuendo and soul-baring emotion, set in a time when language was used as a weapon as well as cloak.

I haven't been in the mood for a historical for a little while now, but this book has rekindled my interest in them by celebrating everything I love about the good ones... the way language is used with such meaning, and so many meanings. The way strong women were forged in the fires of social limitations, expectations and hypocrisies. The way the fashion is described in tactile detail and the nuances of good breeding. Plus I've always enjoyed the contrast in the historical heroine's lady-in-the-ballroom, harlot-in-the-bedroom characterisation. ;-)

Another thing I appreciated about this book is that the only time I felt that I didn't have the whole story were the snippets regarding Olivia and Lyonn. Otherwise, all the characters were explained well and I'm not suffering from any spoilers due to this being a #6 in the series and me having just jumped in. I'm usually loathe to read books out of order, but this has been very well done as an almost stand-alone.

Quite simply: fanbloodytastic!

Review: Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Pride Mates
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Graded: C+


B rating for the world building, C rating for the romance/ character interaction = C+ for this book.

I think this is the first shifter book I've read where the world has them as the underdogs, not super-humans with special powers; they are segregated and discriminated against by the human world, in a way that to me seems reminiscent of the African-American communities of the 1950's and 60's. This premise, as awful as it is, made a strange sort of sense to me in this scenario, because most humans fear and attempt to control/ belittle that which they do not understand. Worse, the shifters are collared to try to restrain their violent animal instincts. The introduction to this world is an original one in the paranormal / shifter sub-genre, and certainly piqued my interest to continue with the series.

The writing is good, the story well-paced and the plot is weaved expertly around the mystery of Brian's innocence, and the pride politics that are uncovered. I liked Kim's character from the first, her passion for her client and her beleif in him... her willingness to do what it takes and fight the law on his behalf shows her strength, and appeals to the reader. Liam also is a likeable hero, protective and affectionate, easy-going but strong. Perfect hero material.

There were certain details that tied in well with the shifters' animal instincts, but for all of that, I felt there was something a little two dimensional about the main characters' interaction. The author has gone to a lot of trouble with the world-building, but then seems to take the easy way for the H/h relationship. It all happens very quickly, and the ending seemed a little too convenient to me.

I'm hopeful for more from the next book.

Review: Slammed by Colleen Hoover

Title: Slammed
Author: Colleen Hoover
Graded: B


I'm not usually a big fan of Young Adult fiction, but I'll read those books that have been highly recommended by friends. Such was the case here.

I found Laiken to be a typical late-teenager, though having just come out of tragic circumstances after the death of her father. The star in this story was Will, the sensitive, responsible guy next door with a penchant for poetry. The drama and conflict of "I want you but I can't have you, come closer, NO, stay away!!" was very well done, though it did remind me a little of the angst in Twilight, which was a bit of a turn-off. The poetry won me over completely.
I did get qwuite frustrated by Laiken, by her tendency to stick her head in the sand and try to hide from her problems or shift the blame. I kept hoping to see more growth in her than I felt the reader got. Nevertheless, as soon as I finished this book, I started it's sequel, Point of Retreat. Surely the mark of a good story, that keeps you going back for more!

Review: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Title: Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Graded: A+

I'm sitting here with tears running down my face having just finished this book. I know I should probably let my emotions settle before reviewing but I want to get all the feelings down...

Firstly I want to say that the cover does not do this book justice. It gives the impression of a bland and fluffy read when in reality this is a heartbreaking story, with subject matter that may be difficult for a lot of readers.

The characters begin as likeable, yet maddeningly realistic in all their egocentricities and self-absorptions. As their fears and insights are exposed, they develop in strength and purpose to reveal rich individuals who are all irrevocably changed through the events which unfold. I enjoyed the first person POV, and the odd change in character thrown in stirred the narrative nicely for me. I would have liked to have had at least a chapter from Will's perspective, but can understand how challenging that may have been for the author. Glad for the final letter, though!

I commend the author for producing a book which I found extremely readable; the language was straight forward, no purple prose or a whole bunch of medical jargon. The plot is relatively simple yet not uncomplicated; for all that it raises some controversial or ethical questions. How can you read this and not ask yourself what you might do in similar circumstances, how you would feel if it was your friend? Could you be what they needed, and the moral impact of that. The writing is seems smooth and effortless and yet the result is a story which is invested with so much emotion. I'm left feeling so mad, sad and even, oddly, happily resigned about the ending. I can't remember when I last finished a story that had tied me up in so many emotional knots and still left me completely satisfied with having read it.

I'll be chasing down more of Ms Moyes' works.

Quickie Review: One Night in Scotland by Karen Hawkins

Title: One Night in Scotland
Author: Karen Hawkins
Graded: C+

A good book, an enjoyable read, but I found the romance slightly unbelievable. Why would you fall in love with someone who treats you this way? Reminiscent of the bad points of old-school type historical romance where the men were asshats and the women saw the "good guy" underneath even with no actual proof. The mystery was easy to predict. Having said that, I did like the writing. I plan to read the next in this series to see whether it was just this story or this author in general that I wasn't loving.

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth
Graded: A-
Book #1 in the Divergent series.

Let me preface this by saying first that I'm not a huge fan of the young-Adult sub-genre overall. Before my Goodreads friend recommended this book, I'd not heard much about it, and I'd found the cover off-putting - the similarity between the symbol of this book, and the symbol on the only other YA dystopian novel I've read and loved, to be too much like jumping on The Hunger Games marketing bandwagon. No offence.
BUT you know what?
I freaking loved this book!

I have lost myself in this story, in this character and to a certain extent, in this world. This was a thoroughly readable, fun, engaging story. I cheered for Tris and her fellow initiates through their challenges. I grinned a goofy grin as Four's character and relationship developed. I gasped at the consequences of butter knives, guns, chasms and simulations. The writing and dialogue are good and the pace was un-put-downable (is so a word!) Yes, you can definitely make some unflattering comparisons between this and THG, but for all the similarities, it was the differences I found engrossing.

My only complaint? That the next one isn't already available already so I can read further.

Review: Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts

Title: Chasing Fire
Author: Nora Roberts
Graded: A

I'm a fan of Roberts' stand-alones and this one didn't disappoint.
One thing you can definitely say about Ms Roberts is that her subject matter is usually very well-researched. I was fascinated to learn about a setting and career I would normally never have researched. Some readers may find the detail over-the-top, but I didn't mind it at all and appreciated how it helped cement the characters to me. There was no doubt in my mind that the heroine had to be strong to be as good as she was at her job. You get a very real sense from the book that firejumpers don't do the job, they live the job while it's happening.

This story was made all the more believable by the slow sizzle of the romance. There is primarily a physical relationship and respect between the H/h, but no angsty coming-together dramas - very refreshing for a romance reader! The dialogue was fantastic (another strength of Roberts' writing), the banter between the two showcasing Rowan's strength and Gull's masculine self-confidence. He's not intimidated to take orders from her, and is trying to charm her without belittling her, which makes him all the more tempting to Rowan and sigh-worthy to the reader.

The plot was well-paced and the suspense/ mystery was satisfying, but hardly taxing. In fact, there were only two things that bothered me about this story: I felt the protagonists were a little too perfect, and a lot of the jargon wasn't explained within the story.

If you were reading this as a straight out mystery or suspense, I think you would be disappointed. If you were reading this for the romance, you might possibly get impatient with a lot of the added detail. But for lovers of romantic suspense, I think this is a fine example.

Review: We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Title: We Need To Talk About Kevin
Author: Lionel Shriver
Graded: A+

I don't want to give away any spoilers for this novel, so I'll apologise now for my ambiguity and hope that the little information I provide will enable you to make your own reading decision. Let me begin by saying that this was not an easy read, especially so for me as I found it difficult to separate my reactions as a parent to what I was reading. In this heartbreaking novel, I  had to put the book down often, (contrary to the Boston Globe quote on the cover) for the first half, I couldn't read more than 2 chapters at a time without stopping my reading to distract myself from the darkness of the material.

The writing is good, of that there's no doubt. The descriptions and prose blended well, though often seeming long-winded, it held true to the letter format in which the chapters were offered. The main character, Eva, who provides the readers' POV, is finely woven for us. She was at times hard to like and  in the beginning came across herself as coldly detached, rather than just analytical. She is very tough on herself and her maternal emotions, but always brutally honest. And we come to understand that she's not cold or numb at all...

The gift of this author isn't necessarily in the story that he's telling; it's in the way he makes you think about the story that he's telling.  I've read a similar story which was equally engrossing plot-wise, and yet here, even as I read I would be questioning my decisions and reactions as a parent and the possible outcomes from those. Because of that, it took me a lot longer to read this than I'm used to spending on a book. All in all, what a heartbreaking novel - but one definitely worth the effort!

Quickie Review: If You Deceive by Kresley Cole

Title: If You Deceive
Author: Kresley Cole
Graded: C+
Book #3 in the MacCarrick Brothers Trilogy


This was a good story, great writing with a strong voice that was surprisingly very reminiscent of older historical romances, given the popularity of Ms Cole's contemporaries, I hadn't expected her strength in writing historicals.

I really liked the characters, though I felt there was a bit too much melodrama for my mood at the moment, which could all be put down to a lack of communication from the outset. I enjoyed all three stories, this was a great ending for the MacCarrick Brothers.

Review: And One Last Thing... by Molly Harper

Title: And One Last Thing...
Author: Molly Harper
Graded: B+

What a fantastic read! This was my first from Molly Harper and I look forward to reading more of her brand of humour.
I've never minded first-person POV and in this book thought it was vital to my enjoyment of the story. This is Lacey's story first and foremost, after all.

The humour is an integral part of her personality and how she sees the world. It is through this the reader gets to experience her circumstances vicariously. Lacey's character is easy to identify with. I'm sure I know at least three versions of Lacey in Real Life. She's had family that love her, a mother that coddles her, a brother that supports her with his own brand of crazy humour and a husband that has provided for her very well. Add to this that she has always felt sick when people are angry or disappointed in her and it's easy to see why she's always taken the easy way. It's easier not to argue. It's easier to go along. Sure. Until she discovers her husband's affair with his secretary. Cue shenanigans.

The consequences of her reaction, the newsletter and the move to the cabin for isolation were very well written. You can sympathise with Lacey, hate the husband and his secretary for what and how they've treated her and all the while be laughing at Lacey's quirky observations and Harper's funny descriptions.



*** SPOILER ALERT ***

As a sort of therapy (and to help the legal case against her) Lacey begins writing her thoughts on her marriage and it's conclusion. She is approached by an entrepreneurial fan who wants to hire her to write more "woman scorned" newsletters for women in similar situations. Lacey is interested and tempted, and initially it is only thoughts of how it could further damage her reputation and annoy her lawyer that stop her from taking it up. When she sparks up a friendship with the sexy author next door, Monroe, she tries her hand at writing fiction.

It is through the writing of her novel, and the interactions with Monroe, that Lacey really grows. The romance, though funny and hot, seemed to me to be secondary to the plot, but symbiotic to Lacey's journey. Monroe helps her writing, gives her pointers but more importantly a new direction. They develop a comfortable friends-with-benefits relationship, and he listens to her when she lets him know what she wants sexually, a first for her.

*** END SPOILER ***



I respected and understood Lacey's reticence to jump into a new "relationship" and her need to stand on her own two feet. The temptation of the easy money that would also allow her to perpetuate her revenge on cheating husbands everywhere was likewise understandable. My problem with this story, even while realising it may have been intentional for the humour factor, was how two dimensional the secondary characters felt. Emmet is the gay brother with fantastic fashion sense who also gives great haircuts. Her husband is the selfish, remorseless cheater. The mum is the consumate nurterer who expresses love through food and her father is the stoic older gentleman whose reaction to his children's disappointments is to ignore them.

The humour and dialogue offer laugh-out-loud moments. And the subplots of Lacey's novel offer an extra dimension to the story. But ultimately Lacey's growth, her journey, (though rushed at the end) was believable and entertaining.

Quickie Review: The Mating by Nicky Charles

Title: The Mating
Author: Nicky Charles
Graded: C+
Book #1 in the Law of the Lycans series.

I got this as a freebie from Amazon, but was impressed enough that I'll be buying the next in the series. This is what the spirit of freebies is all about.

For all that this was quite a steamy read, the heroine Elise seemed to have a few Young-Adult character traits; a lack of self-confidence and an unwillingness to verbalise her thoughts and feelings when it could make a difference.

There were a few typos, some grammatical errors, but the writing was good enough to overlook those. The plot was fast-paced and, though ultimately predictable, the world-building was also compelling enough to have whet my appetite for the series.. Now I'm looking forward to Ryne's story!

Here we go again!

Well, "hope springs eternal" and all that, so here we go again, my chance to turn over a new leaf. I've revamped the blog  in the hopes of not getting distracted by all the formatting and layout options in the future, or by clicking on that intriguing "Next Blog" button, or by that shiny thing over there... ooh, pretty...


Anyway, I hope to add some of my romance book reviews and random thoughts here, such as they are. Where possible I will link to the author or book page on Goodreads. For those worried about my grammar and spelling, please don't be. I'll make mistakes, like everyone else (damn that human factor!), but keep in mind that I live in Australia and we use the Queen's English here, not the American equivalent. Just you watch though, now that I've included that, I'm guaranteed to start making a whole bunch of typos :-)