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 Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:49 am
Since some of us have expressed an interest in doing book reviews, here we are. This thread will be specifically for the purpose of placing reviews for the novels we've read.
To make it uniformed all around you'll need to put the blurb thats on the back(or inside jacket for hardbacks), you're review of course and try not to spoil it too much. There it is ladies and gents. Go to town.
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Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:21 am
'jemima j' by Jane Green.
Blurb:
Jemima Jones is overweight. About one hundred pounds overweight. Treated like a maid by her thin and social-climbing roommates, and lorded over by the beautiful Geraldine (less talented but better paid) at the Kilburn Herald, Jemima finds that her only consolation is food. Add to this her passion for her charming, sexy, and unobtainable colleague Ben, and Jemima knows her life is in need of a serious change. When she meets Brad, an eligible California hunk, over the internet, she has the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself--as JJ, the slim, beautiful, gym-obsessed glamour girl. But when her long-distance Romeo demands that they meet, she must conquer her food addiction to become the bone-thin model of her e-mails--no small feat.
With a fast-paced plot that never quits and a surprise ending no reader will see coming, Jemima J is the chronicle of one woman's quest to become the woman she's always wanted to be, learning along the way a host of lessons about attraction, addiction, the meaning of true love, and, ultimately, who she really is.
Review:
This is the first time I've ventured into contemporary novels. I thought it was very well written. I don't recall moments where the story dragged unnecessarily with filler and fluff. It moved fluidly and was interesting with each page turn. Jemima going through life with her insecurities was believable and relatable. You can feel her pain as she expresses her disappointment with her self, her current situation, and her life. The fact that she was an obviously talented, smart and lovely person who was constantly passed over because of her weight was moving. What drew me to it was the detailed feeling about her addiction to food. Me being a food junky myself can relate strongly to this. I felt that the writer really knew what she was talking about.
The shift to when she decides to start making changes to herself is as smooth as silk. You feel for her as she goes through the ups and downs of dieting, exercise and good health. You feel her triumph when she achieves her goals and marvel at how she accomplished them. The plot twist was also smooth. It was also as completely unexpected. It was totally left field and you will feel blindsided, but you'll see it work out beautifully.
The general theme of this book, at least I think, is no matter what a person looks like, if that person can embrace their own inner beauty, they can make anything happen and be happy. There is a love story in there. It is that love that shapes the mentality of the main character and drives her actions. There are two men in her life. Her experiences with both teach her what love is all about and ultimatly helps her decide who she loves more.
As I've said elsewhere, I'm not too much into contemporary romance, but I did like this story. It's funny, easy to read and very enjoyable.
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:27 pm
"Rocky Mountain Man" by Jillian Heart.
Blurb:
Who was Duncan Hennessey?
A big and burly mountain man, a half-breed some said, he seemed not ulike the bears he'd saved Betsy Hunter from = wild, powerful, a force of nature. But as she tended the wounds this loner had suffered because of her, Betsy could see that he was gentle, too, with an artist's soul. And though he'd professed to like the lonely existance he'd carved for himself in the wilds of Montanna, Betsy knew otherwise. There was no doubt that in Duncan Hennessey, she'd found her true mate for life. But could she pierce the dark cloud of his past - and how mim a brighter future in her arms?
Review: This was my first Harequin historical western, and very good. The story moved quickly, but not too fast. It is a good stepping stone if you are dating some one of a different race and your family/friends might not approve.Duncan is a half-blood indian who was accused of rape. Duncan no longer trusts anyone, so he lives alone in the forest, the only company is a woman who delievers his laundry once a week (Betsy). One day, she had a minor screaming match with Mr. Duncan Hennessey because she did not show up at her normal time so he wouldn't have to deal with her. Not paying attention, she actually gets attacked by a bear, and Duncan comes to save her, not being hurt that much.
I really do like this novel, it is really good. I have yet to donate it to the local library, because I want to read it one last time. The plot follows a nice lline, not moving around too much. Very sweet actually. ^^ It's a good read.
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:52 am
"Beyond the Highland Mist" by Karen Marie Moning
Blurb:
An Alluring Laird
He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart--until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length--but his sweet suduction played havoc with her resolve.
A Prisoner in Time
She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side...
Review:
This is a time traveling romance done well. By the power of fairy magic, yes fairies, Adrienne was dropped hundreds of years in the past and immediatly married to the Hawk. You would not think that fairies were that powerful, or very vindictive. The author brings a whole new dimention to immortal beings. Hawk is the devistatingly handsome Scottish laird with enemies he had no idea that he had. Never knowing that that the appearance of Adrienne is part of a very intricatly plotted revenge. There was so much treachery, backstabbing and plotting going on in this story, you wanna keep reading to find out what happens next. Watching the two clash with each other is both funny and exciting. The blurb says 'his sweet suduction played havoc with her resolve.' It played havoc with mine as well, which I believe is the mark of a good story.
From what I've been told, this is the first story in a series of Highlander stories. If they're as good as this one, believe me, I'll be hunting down the rest. You should too.
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:06 pm
OK - so I posted a review in my journal for Hotel Transylvania by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. It is a romance but it's also about vampires. Enjoy. (sorry, didn't want to just cut & paste it)
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:44 am
"Midnight Pleasures - Four short novels of Otherwordly Passion" by Amanda Ashley, Maggie Shayne heart , Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Ronda Thompson.
Blurb: (who came up with that word?)
Handsome and sensual, surrounded by an aura of danger, mystery, and the forbidden, a lover steps from the shadows. Hut is he mortal? or is he an ancient god, a sorcerer, or a mythical beast who can possess a woman's heart...and her very soul? (dooooooo)
Four of romance's most popular authros have created this spellbinding collection of stories filled with dark passion and desire. Under the cover of darkness, their heroes inhabit worlds haunted by ageless hungers and deadly forces stronger than any seen by day...and vanquished only by the power of love.
Now travel into realms where dazzling wonders roam the night, where magic replaces reason, and where a kiss unleashes a raging fire in the blood. And here, if you dare, discover seduction that begins at the bewitching hour when a man and woman partake in...Midnight Pleasures...
Blurb on the 4 storise inside:
"Darkfest" by Amanda Ashley - The price of saving her dying mother is Channa's promise to spend a year at the castle of tormented nobleman, Lord Darkfest...to obey him as his servant or, as his secrets are revealed, to become his salvation. And her own.
"Phantom Lover" By Sherrilyn Kenyon - Haunted by recurring nightmares of terrifying beasts, Erin McDaniels is afraid to sleep - until a hero arrives in her dreams to save her...and make erotic, incredible love to her. But can she find him again when she is awake?
"Under Her Spell" By Maggie Shayne - A consultant for a TV series about one gorgeous witch, "White withc" Melissa St. Cloud plans to make the show authentic. But once on the set she is pulled into the arms of a man who opens the doorway to teh dark side and chilling peril.
"A Wulf's Curse" By Ronda Thompson - Running away from an arranged marriage,Elise steals aboar a wagon in a traveling circus and finds herself in the bed of the Beast Tamer, Sterling Wulf, who is something other then he seems...and suddenly all Elise desires.
Review: (i'll go over one story at a time.))
"Darkfest" - reminded me a lot of the story "Howle's Moving Castle", but with romance...it also reminded me of "Beauty and the Beast", the disney movie. Well written, but a bit short..and predictable. The end was good though!
"Phantom Lover" - ohh sent chills down my back! This is a great story if you are into Mythology and how it would affect us today. It is also very sexy, anonyous sex and all. I really did enjoy the novel. Towarsd the end I did cry though...I wont spoil anything, but there were tears.
"Under Her Spell" - Finally, A romance novel for Wiccans! ^^;; It has a lot to deal with "white magic" as it is being called. It's actually wicca. It is a good opertunity to learn about Wicca and the dark forces...plus hot guys! I mean, who could really turn that down?
"A Wulf's Curse" - Tantalizing, and oh so good! Although it has the Clicheed 'running away form an arranged marage', the people she runs into makes it seem a bit more...realistic. It is quite funny to see a high noble join a circus troupe.
Overall- This book was really good. It gave you blips of 4 stories that were sweet and just relaxing.
((note: this review took me 3 hours to write...darn multitasking...))
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 1:39 am
"Twilight Hunger" by Maggie Shayne heart
Blurb: He is every woman's fantasy, yet he remains alone and untouched. His world is one of secrecy and solitude, darkness and danger. Now one woman has found his journal. She has told his secrets. He must stop her, and there is only one way...
When struggling screenwriter Morgan DeSilva uncovers the ancient leather diaries in the attic of an old house in Maine, she is swept into the seductive world of a long-dead madman who had believed himself a vampire. Now, though Dante's story has made her rich and famous, Morgan is wasting away. At night she dreams of him, an erotic fantasy so real she can see the marks on her neck, feel her life's blood draining from her. Almost as if he were real...
He comes to her at night. Watching her. Wanting her.
She is one of The Chosen. She can be his, if he desires. And he desires it so much that he is filled with a terrible fear. He knows that his kiss can save her from destiny's curse, and from the enemies who stalk them both. But to save her, he must trust her. With his life. WIth his love. WIth the promise of immortality.
Review:
mmm! Delicious! I swear I could almost feel the bites on my neck. Maggie Shayne writes very well, giving lots of detail in such few words. The novel also shines a lot of light on vampires, if one is interested in them. I, personally, did not see a vampire to be alluring until I read this novel. The novel adds little twists here and there that one simply overlooks in the beginning until it all starts to fall together towards the end.
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 3:02 pm
Mia Eidenschink "Twilight Hunger" by Maggie Shayne heart I have to agree with you about Maggie SHayne. She's one of my favorite writers. I love what she does with her vampires. She's good at writing whatever she sets her mind to which I appreciate. She's done historical, paranormal, and mystery with ease. Good choice!
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:27 pm
Danse Macabre - Laurell K. HamiltonQuote: The uniquely complicated life of Anita Blake, the St. Louis–based necromancer, gets even more complicated when Anita discovers she may be pregnant in the 14th novel in bestseller Hamilton's vampire hunter series (Micah, etc.). Her sexual magic powers require multiple lovers, so there are six potential fathers. One possible dad, werewolf Richard, has trouble understanding that, baby or not, Anita's still a federal marshal who raises the dead and executes vampires. In addition, terrifying, life-threatening obstetrical challenges are involved, since the maybe-mommy has to deal with vampirism and several strains of lycanthropy coursing through her veins. That Anita has no detecting to do may disappoint some fans, but playing hostess to a gathering of North American vampire Masters of the City, ostensibly in town for a performance by a vampiric ballet troupe, keeps her plenty busy. When the vampire ballet takes the stage toward the end, several new plot elements emerge. First, this is a series of books about a vampire executioner, Anita Blake. The early books each had a mystery of sorts in each book and Anita would work through the clues and solve them. 4 books ago that changed and the series evolved into being more about Anita and her relationships than her work. Not everyone was happy about that .. Review: Ahhh .. I loved this book. It's easily the best book since Narcissus in Chains but was also one of the best in the series. I still have my favorites but this one really hit a lot of points with me. The change in Anita as she thought she was pregnant was very interesting and very real. She was terrified about it and couldn't quite get over that feeling to a feeling of excitement. The relationship with Richard and Jean-Clause changed quite a bit in this as well and that was refreshing and about damn time. I was happy that LKH brought back some older characters, even for just a page or two, letting us know she hadn't forgotten them. Many questions were answere, more were asked and I'm still excited about this series. It's amazing to me that 14 books in and I still want more. Ten thumbs up! rofl heart
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Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:48 pm
'On the Way to the Wedding' by Julia Quinn
Blurb:Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except...
She wasn't the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with someone else. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except...
Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar...
Review: As the final installment of an eight book series, it was a long wait, but completely worth every minute of it. After being a bit disappointed with the last book (In His Kiss)--mostly because I did not much like the heroine and the ending left me a bit...well, disappointed--I was happy to note that Quinn's witty style had me laughing from page one to three-eighty-four. Not my favorite book of the series, but still very high up on my list. If you're a fan of Quinn's, you will not be let down. And if you're new to her books, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
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