Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Friday, 18 June 2010

Book List

This month I have put together a list of YA book's I'm on the look out for! Enjoy!

Monday, 25 January 2010

Ruthless Magnate, Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham

THREE/FOUR STARS

Love the cover! (What a beautiful dress!)

Mills and Boon synopsis:

Billionaire in need…

Sergei Antonovich, a Russian billionaire, was famous for being knee-deep in stunning supermodels and aspiring actresses. But not one was suitable bride material. Would he ever grant his ageing babushka her dearest wish and present her with a grandchild? Of a bride and a baby…

So, why not handle this challenge as business? Without emotion, but with a contract of convenience that granted him the perfect deal: a wife he’d bed, wed, get pregnant…and then discard…

Pregnant Brides

Inexperienced and expecting,they’re forced to marry!

My review:

I didn't realise when I started this book that it was part of a trilogy (the 2nd one written I think) following a group of friends in their journey to finding love. This book was Alissa's story. Her greedy twin signs a contract agreeing to marry Russian billionaire and give him a child, then she ropes in Alissa to fill the role while she swans off with the money he paid her. An unsuspecting Alissa, who trusts her twin implicitly and is doing this to help pay off her mother's debt (and who knows nothing of the private side, planned to accompany this 'business' agreement), then slowly begins to fall for Sergei.

This couple had great chemistry and the story was promising, full of tension. What let the book down was the fact that these two characters hardly ever really talked to one another - the baring of one's soul is not conducted via sexual tension. This romance was good, but the lack of communication between the two was unedifying to say the least.

Ms Graham, you have a wonderful writing style, you have wonderful characters, and a full imagination. A Russian hero? How marvellous. But you were rushing, and avoided displaying true intimacy in this book. I know the hero was supposed to be strong, resilient, tough, mysterious, devilishly attractive, but did all of that really necessitate his loss of voice?

Sunday, 24 January 2010

The Devil You Know by Liz Carlyle

THREE STARS

I carried on my Liz Carlyle stretch this week with The Devil You Know, Frederica and Bentley's story.

Goodreads:

From acclaimed author Liz Carlyle comes a spellbinding new novel in which the ton's most charming ne'er-do-well meets his match in a most unexpected fashion and discovers the true meaning of desire....

The Devil You Know

Frederica d'Avillez is sure she will never marry. She's had a disastrous London season, and now her longtime beau has thrown her over for a more eligible miss. But if Freddie can't have a husband, she's hell-bent on experiencing at least one night of unforgettable passion. Where better than in the arms of the dashing rogue Bentley "Hell-Bent" Rutledge? So what if he's a rake, scoundrel, and all-round devil?

Scandal trails in Bentley's wake and fair maidens usually steer well clear of him -- and vice versa. But when the opportunity presents itself, Bentley can't resist Freddie's exotic beauty. When their wild, reckless passion has dire consequences, Bentley is forced to choose between honor and freedom. And Freddie soon realizes that Bentley's devil-may-care façade is just that -- for she has unwittingly unleashed his dark secrets...and secret desires.

My Review:

As before, I greatly enjoyed Ms Carlyle's style of writing, and I was swept away (although not to the same extent as in Wicked All Day) by the world she created for us, her readers. At the end of the book it becomes apparent that she has been approaching a rather sensitive subject (which I shall not spoil here), and this was gently handled. Unfortunately, just because a book keeps you up into the small hours, doesn't mean that it is perfect. I felt the ending for Freddie and Bentley was a little quick (if one discounts the + 7 or so months time leap of the epilogue). We never got to see them interact independently, as a couple, in their own home. What kind of a life will they have together beyond their honesty, love, devotion etc. Freddie comes from such an eccentric background, there was soo much promise there... As always, I am looking for what I want to see rather than what was there, but reflection in critic is necessary I think. Especially when dealing with high calibre writers like Ms Carlyle - how do you tell between them enough to rate one book differently from another otherwise? Something to ponder perhaps.

http://www.lizcarlyle.com/

Friday, 22 January 2010

Wicked All Day by Liz Carlyle

FOUR STARS

I have not read any historical romance from Liz Carlyle before, only her contribution to Big Guns Out of Uniform (a modern romance anthology) which admittedly was well written. So I thought I'd give this book a whirl. It's set in London and Sussex (England).

Goodreads:

New York Times bestselling author Liz Carlyle continues her enthralling historical series with the story of an impetuous, illegitimate beauty and the forbidding nobleman who protects her -- while fighting an obsession to possess her....

Miss Zoë Armstrong is beautiful, charming, rich -- and utterly unmarriageable. So, while she may be the ton's most sparkling diamond, her choice of husbands looks more like a list of London's most unsavory fortune hunters. Since a true-love marriage seems impossible, Zoë has accepted -- no, embraced -- her role as society's most incomparable flirt and mischiefmaker...until in one reckless, vulnerable moment, her future is shattered.

Stuart Rowland, the brooding Marquess of Mercer, has been part of Zoë's extended family since she was a child. As dark and cynical as Zoë is lively, Mercer has always known they would be the worst possible match...until his scapegrace brother Robert does the unthinkable, and winds up betrothed to Zoë. Now, secluded on Mercer's vast estate to escape a looming scandal and the ton's prying eyes, Zoë and Mercer may find that a dark obsession has become a tempestuous passion that can no longer be denied....

My review:

I thought all the characters were well drawn - which I suppose is only to be expected when the author has previously written whole novels for these characters (e.g. A Woman Scorned featured Mercer's mother's romance, and My False Heart featured Zoe's father's!).

I was a little upset by this author's interpretation of a Scottish accent - I am typing from Glasgow, so I think I have the credentials to comment.

Overall, the author's ability to sweep her readers up in her world has not altered from that small novella she wrote all those years ago. I enjoyed reading this book, and indeed was compelled to read through until 5AM.

I guess the thing that I missed most (on my "wish a book had included this" hit list) was more scenes from the character's teen years - we saw one scene at the very beginning of the book, when Zoe was around five years old, and were told in character's speech about various escapades, in a sentence or so's length, but I think the connection and history of the characters could have deepened. Their relationship would have been more fascinating still for it.

Liz Carlyle's characters seem to grow as the novel progresses and their journeys are plausible and interesting. Their romance was worth reading about, but it wasn't legendary. Very few books I have every read have achieved the latter though. Well done Ms Carlyle, fabulous book!

I am planning on reading The Devil You Know, or My False Heart, next, as these are the novels I was most intrigued by from the synopses on Ms Carlyle's website:

http://www.lizcarlyle.com/

Friday, 8 January 2010

Sinful Surrender by Beverly Kendall

THREE STARS

A new book by a brand new author! Historical Romance, set in England (19th Century).

Goodreads:

Millicent “Missy” Armstrong is entering her fourth London Season, but not for lack of suitors. Since her debut three years ago, Missy has received twenty marriage proposals. But she is interested in only one man—her brother’s best friend, James Rutherford. As a child, Missy looked up to James. As a grown up, her admiration has blossomed into the longings of a beautiful, sensuous woman—and she won’t rest until James admits his love—and desire—for her…

James Rutherford rues the day he let his physical weaknesses get the better of him by kissing Missy. His best friend has made it clear that Missy is off limits, and though he’s avoided her for three years, he hasn’t forgotten the feel of her soft lips pressed against his—and it seems neither has she. For no matter how much James tries to discourage Missy, he keeps winding up in her arms, sharing heated caresses that promise the most delirious pleasure...

My Review:

The supposed allure of this book is that Missy has been in love with James for as long as she can remember, and yet we hear almost nothing of the characters' pasts. It was... anticlimactic at worst. The lust-y scenes were written with a strong hand, but the characters' themselves lacked definition. Another disappointment I'm afraid, one which went on for nearly 400 pages. It was written well enough but I am not certain I will revisit this author's work, despite the fact that this book clearly sets up the reader for MANY sequels. The ideas behind the characters were attractive; the idea behind the romance in this book was attractive; the book itself was lacking. Somewhere between the creation of this world, the writing of it, it seems that certain wonderful details and images were lost.

If you need a book "to get you through" then this is a fine read.

http://www.beverleykendall.com/

Saturday, 2 January 2010

Sins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan

FOUR STARS

Goodreads:

"She works to live . . .

One would think the last place a beauty like Fallon O'Rourke could keep her virtue was in the Mayfair mansion of London's most licentious duke, the notorious Dominic Hale. Yet Fallon—who's endured nothing but lecherous advances since her father's tragic death—is perfectly safe there . . . disguised as a footman! Beneath the notice of the dark-haired devil with his smoldering blue eyes and sinful smile, Fallon never imagines her secret will be discovered. But how long can her deception last when she begins to wish she is one of the many women traipsing in and out of the sinful rogue's bedchamber?

He lives to sin . . .

Most men envy the duke, never suspecting his pleasure-loving ways are a desperate attempt to escape, however briefly, the pain of a past that's left him with a heart of stone. Only one woman can break down his defenses. Only one woman can win his love . . . if she reveals her secret and succumbs to the sins of the wicked duke."

My review:

I was a little disgruntled by the rude nature of one particular early scene in the book [carriage scene!], but I stuck with the novel and I'm glad that I did. The main character Fallon had a wonderful, strong, faithful voice. The novel gave you a rounded image of Fallon as a individual, without delving into long drawn out visions of her past life. I loved Dominic's tattoo - ooh. : ) I have to say I was completely swept along in the errr, later scenes, which were very well written. All in all, I would read another Sophie Jordan book if it was put in front of me. The comic nature of many events in the book reminded me faintly of Lynsay Sands' historical romances, which are actually outrageously funny (your in tears in the eyes country with her books!). What I think prevented this book from reaching the next level of 'great' was the lack of investigation into Fallon's own thoughts - while there was enough reflection, scenes simply moved too quickly to do any of them justice. Work on your narration Ms Jordan and you might just get added to my 'must read' list.

p.s. The reasoning why an abused childhood would make Dominic unfeeling, or how he came to see himself as incapable of love, were just never explained satisfactorily. Editors, how did this escape your notice?

Anyhow, I plan to check out the same author's Moon Chaser's series (paranormal romance with werewolves) written under the pseudonym Sharie Kohler.

http://sophiejordan.net/

Friday, 18 September 2009

A good night in: Elizabeth Hoyt's "The Raven Prince"

I was given this book as a Secret Santa present at Christmas, and nine months on I have now, finally, read it!

The Bio

Anna Wren, a simple widow who lives with her mother-in-law and a maid she took in years before, is sadly in need of money. When the job of secretary to a recently returned Earl opens up, Anna applies for the post. She works on transcribing the Earl's theories on agricultural practice at the Abby's library, gradually coming to know a man who has been deeply scarred by the loss of his family to small pox, and then his wife in childbirth years later. Anna thinks her only chance to be with Edward romantically is to play a demimonde in one of London's brothel houses, wearing a mask to disguise her features. A single night of pleasure to relieve her growing feelings for him, a man whose social standing is so far above her own as to make a match between them unthinkable.

The Review

I enjoyed this book. I don't think it lived up to its hype very well though. Although the narration of the book was top notch, I felt that the characters' feelings and pasts were not adequately explored, and parts of the book dragged on. It was not a very compelling read. There were some 'mystery' aspects to the book, but they never truly came to the fore even at the book's end (which featured a half heart, ill plotted, unsurprising 'blackmail' event).

This historical romance was good enough to pass the time, but I have read better books from the same genre - by authors such as Lynsay Sands (who's works often feature wonderfully comedic scenes), Teresa Medeiros and Gayle Callen, for instance. I might at some point in the future read more of this author's work, but I'm not going to log onto booksonboard and buy her back catalogue anytime soon, unfortunately.

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Movie Night: The Sleeping Dictionary (5*)

Tonight I watched a little know movie from back in 2003. 'The Sleeping Dictionary', a historical romance, set to the background of 1930s British Imperialism in a remote jungle landscape and starring Jessica Alba, Hugh Dancy and Bob Hoskins. It was beautifully shot, the story at once sad, poignant and uplifting.

IMDB: In 1936, the expatriated young and naive just-graduated British John Truscott (Hugh Dancy) arrives to the Sarawak, a British colony, to work in the Iban society. The beautiful Selima (Jessica Alba) is assigned to be his "sleeping dictionary", to live and sleep with him and teach him the language and habits of the locals. The reluctant John and Selima fall in love for each other in a forbidden romance.

... "Sandpiper Snippets"

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Friday, 18 June 2010

Book List

Monday, 25 January 2010

Ruthless Magnate, Convenient Wife by Lynne Graham

Sunday, 24 January 2010

The Devil You Know by Liz Carlyle

My Review:

Friday, 22 January 2010

Wicked All Day by Liz Carlyle

Friday, 8 January 2010

Sinful Surrender by Beverly Kendall

Saturday, 2 January 2010

Sins of a Wicked Duke by Sophie Jordan

Friday, 18 September 2009

A good night in: Elizabeth Hoyt's "The Raven Prince"

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Movie Night: The Sleeping Dictionary (5*)