TBR Challnege 2012- June Category: Western

Sunrise Over Texas by M. J. Fredick

TBR Challenge 2012--June Category: Western. Sunrise Over Texas has been on my TBR list since 2010.

Grade B-/C+
 
Sunrise Over Texas is a the story of a three women left alone in a Texas fort in winter. Katherine "Kit" Barkley is a widow taking care of her late husband's mother and sister. They have no way to get to the nearest settlement, and don't have enough provisions to last the winter. Indians are also a concern. Into this scene rides Trace, a man running from a painful past and now too sick to ride further. Kit nurses him back to health and the two wary strangers find themselves drawn to each other.

I liked that Kit is portrayed as a woman with strong feeling and desires. Trace is more of a beta male, and it was a refreshing change. Although non-alpha, he was strong and sexy. I would like to read more books where the relationship is one of mutual strength, like Trace and Kit. I did get tired of Kit constantly being called "stubborn" because she made up her mind and had confidence in her decisions. Just because there was a man around didn't mean she couldn't think for herself.

Unfortunately, the writing lacked pizazz. It wasn't bad, but it didn't sparkle, especially the dialogue. Still, it was a good story and I will read more by this author. My favorite book by Fredrick so far is Hot Shot.

SOA Listening Challenge 2012

Late to the Wedding by Amanda Quick

SOA Listening Challenge 2012: Spread Your Listening
Historical 4/4

3.5*
Grade B

I've enjoyed all three of the Lavinia Lake, Tobias March books, but this is definitely my favorite. The suspense plot was good, with interesting twists. I knew something odd was going on, but couldn't figure out the timing. The ending was interesting and satisfying. While I could have done without the slightly paranormal parts of the books, overall I enjoyed the characters in all three, and in this one especially. I felt Lavinia and Tobias worked much better together in this book, and there was less stubbornness and arguing going on. I liked the mutual respect they showed and the way they worked together.

The narrator, Josephine Bailey, was quite good. Definitely a 4 star or better narration.

TBR Challenge 2012: February Category

Slightly Shady by Amanda Quick

TBR Challenge 2012- February category: Recommended by another reader. this was recommended by my daughter Hannah. Added Feb 2011.

3.5/5 Grade B

Slightly Shady is a solid effort by Amanda Quick. The dialog, between all the characters not just the leads, was smart and witty. Tobias is a wonderfully grouchy hero. Lavinia is a fairly typical Quick/Krentz heroine, which is to say a somewhat unconventional bluestocking who is matter-of-fact and independent-minded. The secondary characters Emiline and Anthony were a pleasant addition to the book instead of a distraction. And the little unanswered question about the suspense plot at the end was a great hook for the next book in the trilogy.

There is little sexual tension in the novel and the love scenes inspire more smiles than sighs. The real treat in this relationship is watching the grudging respect and admiration grow between the leads.

I already have the next one, Don't Look Back, on hold at the library!

SOA Listening Challenge 2012

Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

3.5 out of 5 stars

SOA Listening Challenge 2012- Historical #2

I enjoyed the story, but I would have enjoyed it much more with a good narrator. 4* for the story, 2* for Rosalyn Landor's narration.

The plot was intricate and layered, the dialogue was sharp and witty, and the writing overall was quite good. I knew this book had an HEA, but I wasn't certain Kleypas could pull it off. I was pleasantly surprised at the interwoven story lines and the emotions they produced. Not a perfect book, a little too much melodrama at times and some secondary characters who lacked development and were more placeholders than anything, but a very enjoyable historical romance.

SOA Listening Challenge 2012

An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer
5 out of 5
2012 SOA Listening Challenge: Historical
2012 TBR Challenge: Personal

Part romance and part history, this is a truly incredible novel. I listened to the entire 15 hours over two days. I couldn't stop. I have put off listening to this book for a couple of years because I was afraid I'd find the details of the battles boring, but I needn't have worried. It's true I was a little overwhelmed at times by the sheer amount of information presented, but I was always fascinated. Even when I was a bit lost with the names and descriptions, I enjoyed the beauty of the language. I took the time to look up a little about the Battle of Waterloo, and seeing some of the people and place names in print helped me keep them somewhat straight. While I listened to the battle, which takes up about the last third of the book, I had several maps of the campaign open on the computer and was able to follow the details tolerably well that way. I paused the narration periodically to figure out the troop movements on the map, and while I'm sure the finer details still escaped me, at least I was not lost. In fact, I was mesmerized, shocked, and moved by the descriptions.
The romance was not typical of romance novels, although in retrospect it makes sense for Heyer to write it. Barbara Childs is the granddaughter of "The Devils Cub" and the great-granddaughter of Justin, the Duke of Avon in "These Old Shades." Neither of those heroes was what one would call a nice person, and neither is Barbara. What I can sometimes accept in a hero I have a little more problem with in a heroine. I disliked her extremely for the first half of the book, but was able to accept the eventual change of heart as real. Charles is a wonderful hero.

I am glad I reread "Regency Buck" right before this. Judith and Worth play a large role in An Infamous Army, and it was good to see more of them. The present Duke of Avon (Dominique of The Devil's Cub) and his wife Mary also make an appearance. Since Heyer tends to end her romances with the confession of love, it's always wonderful to see how the characters from previous books are getting on after marriage.
I recommend reading in this order:
The Black Moth (the villain from this book is very obviously the prototype for the Duke of Avon in These Old Shades. Read this for the backstory, although the names were changed for These Old Shades.)
These Old Shades
The Devil's Cub
Regency Buck
An Infamous Army

2012 Reading Challenges

In 2012 I plan to do the following reading challenges:

SFR Reading Challenge 2012
I signed up for the Moon Challenge, 15 SFR books in 2012.
(Details at: http://sfrreadingchallenge.blogspot.com/p/2012-sfr-reading-challenge.html)

Speaking of Audiobooks (SOA) Listening Challenge 2012
Categories yet to be posted.

Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge:
My goal is 250 books in 2012.
(www.goodreads.com)

TBR Challenge 2012
The categories (optional):
January 18 - Category romance
February 15 - Recommended Read (something recommended by a fellow reader)
March 21 - Series Catch-Up (pick a book from a series you're behind on)
April 18 - New-To-You Author
May 16 - Old School (Publication date prior to 2000 - that's over 10 years ago now! Yikes!)
June 20 - Western (Contemporary or historical)
July 18 - How Did This Get Here? (a book you can't remember how/why you put in your TBR!)
August 15 - Steamy reads (Erotic romance, erotica, something spicy!)
September 19 - Other genre besides romance
October 17 - Paranormal or romantic suspense
November 21 - All About The Hype (a book that created such chatter that it was inescapable).
December 19 - Holiday themes (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, it's all good!)
(Details at: http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspot.com/p/tbr-challenge-2012.html)

TBR Challnge 2011- General

The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

TBR Challenge 2011; General category- This book has been on my TBR list since November 2009.

4.5 stars

While possessing the predictability of a Heyer romance, The Masqueraders varied from the expected just enough to make it unique and charming. Not only does this book have the wit and clever plotting I expect from Heyer, it has more than one endearing romance. The scene in which one hero declares his feelings is one of the most moving declarations I've read. Since this scene happened partway through the book instead of in the last paragraphs as so often occurs in Heyer's book, the relationship has time to grow and develop, which was particularly satisfying to read.

The Masqueraders has very clever plotting, many multifaceted secondary characters, and plenty of humorous dialog. Definitely worth reading.

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SOA Listening Challege 2011

The final book! Yay!

Rebellious Desire by Julie Garwood

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I bought the abridged Rebellious Desire on audio to complete the Speaking of Audiobooks 2011 Listening Challenge (listen to an abridged book). I thought it was just fine. The narration was decent if not inspired, and the story had no major flaws. As always, I think abridgments leave the reader just a little confused since background info and character motives are often left out, but the book was enjoyable. Getting it on sale for less than $4 was a plus. ;-)


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SOA Listening Challege 2011

When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Speaking of Audiobook Listing Challenge 2011: Listen to a book released in 2011.

Having never read author Eloisa James before, I bought the audiobook on the strength of several good reviews and after listening to a sample on Audible.com. The sample hinted at the possibility of wry humor and I decided to take the chance. I'm so glad I did. While not a perfect book, When Beauty Tamed the Beast is very cleverly written and thoroughly enjoyable.

Both main characters were strong, but Linnet was a delightful surprise. Her character is quick-witted and sharp-tongued, but not spiteful. She starts out a little shallow, but never mean-spirited. The combination of innocence and jadedness was especially appealing. Piers, based on the irascible Dr. House of Fox network fame, was completely believable as the "beast."



James' secondary characters are no less interesting, giving the book a well-rounded feel.


The conversations in the book were a particularly well done, with plenty of verbal sparring and clever phrasing. I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. My only complaint is the anachronisms James decided to include, such as the names of two of Piers' student doctors (Kibbles and Bits) and the line, "What happens in Wales, remains in Wales."


Susan Duerden's character voices, both male and female, were excellent. Her narration of the prose sections was less satisfying, as she tended to deliver the lines in what I would describe as a sing-song, or undulating, fashion. Overall I would still rate her narration a 4* since I quickly got used to her narrating style and her character voices are much better than average.

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TBR Challenge- General

Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

TBR Reading Challenge 2011- General. I've had this book on my Goodreads TBR list since Sept 2010.


Fun historical romance with the added pleasure of having part of the book taking place on a ship crossing the Atlantic. Overall I enjoyed the book, although with a few caveats. I'm tired of females that let men act like jerks then melt at their first touch. The imperious brothers (both sets) and all the intra-family (and inter-family, for that matter) fighting got tiresome. I was also a little disappointed in the scene where James finally tells Georgie how he feels. I always prefer those scenes to be private.


But even with the caveats, the romance was satisfying and there was some great dialog!


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TBR Challenge- General

Lessons From a Scarlet Lady by Emma Wildes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

TBR Challenge 2011- General. This book has been on my goodreads list since August 2010.


This book was easy for me to put down, and I started and finished several books while reading this one. The writing itself was good, but the plot was implausible and the characters were similar to those populating so many other regency romances. A decent read, but nothing unique or out of the ordinary.
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TBR Challenge- General

The Duke And I by Julia Quinn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

TBR Challenge 2011-- General reads. This book has been sitting on mys shelf since August 2010.


There is a great deal to like about The Duke and I. It was an interesting take on the fake-relationship, marriage-of-convenience plot line. The writing was witting and engaging, and the banter between characters was delightful. Some of it was silly, but overall the book stayed above the "eye-roll" line due to the humor and the sometimes insightful descriptions of human nature.


Historical romances are by-and-large an untapped genre for me, so I look forward to discovering more books and authors along the way.


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Faro's Daughterr by Georgette Heyer

Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

SOA Listening Challenge 2011- Relisten to a favorite book. This will be book 10 for the challenge.


A wonderful, witty romance by Georgette Heyer made even more pleasurable by the excellent narration of Eve Matheson. Faro's Daughter is one of my favorite Heyer romances because of the interaction between the hero and heroine. I love the clever dialog and the matching of wits between Deborah and Max.


As always, I wish Heyer would've taken us a scene or two past "the kiss," but I'll take what I can get. Heyer's witty historical romances are so much better than the rest of her genre.


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Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan

Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

TBR Challenge 2011; General- this book was on my TBR list for almost 6 months then I removed it. I added it back when I was able to buy it at Border's close-out sale.

3.5*
Proof by Seduction was very entertaining in parts, and somewhat tedious in others. I enjoyed the parts of the book dealing with Jenny and Gareth, but found those dealing with Ned to be somewhat boring. In fact, the one thing that really made this book was Gareth. Courtney Milan did an excellent job with his character, from the coldness at first to the way he slowly grows through the book. He is the best "awkward" hero I've encountered.

Since Ned wasn't my favorite character in this book, the second book, Trial by Desire which features him as the male lead, seems less appealing. However, since I own the book, I'll eventually read it.


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TBR Challenge 2011- May Read: Marriage of Convenience

The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

TBR Challenge 2011- May theme: Fake relationships/ marriage of convenience. This book has been on my library list for a year.


Decent plot, but the author doesn't allow the tensions to build enough. One reason is the sex scenes every two or three pages for the last half of the book. After the first few they seem very similar and began to detract from the story instead of enhance it, at least for me. The back stories provide the angst, but there was potential for some real heart-wrenching stuff here and it didn't quite happen.


Readers who enjoy erotica would probably give this book higher marks. I like steamy, but generally don't read books this explicit, or at least this explicit for this much of the book. ;-)



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The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne

The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Speaking of Audiobooks 2011 Listening Challenge: Listen to another listener’s romance favorite


Listening to The Spymaster's Lady was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The narrator, Kirsten Potter, did the accents to perfection, and breathed life into the dialog. The story itself seemed to be less important than the pleasure of listening to Potter's rich voice. Not to say that the story wasn't excellent. The Spymater's Lady has a good balance of danger, intrigue, action, romance, suspense, and humor. The characters were sympathetic and honorable, even if flawed. The story did drag a bit for me at the very end when the author chose to slow down the pivotal scenes with Anique's musings. I realize this was done on purpose, to give a sense of unreality to the drama, as seen though the emotions of Anique. But even knowing that, I itched for the internal thoughts to cease and to find out how it was all going to be resolved. The only other quibble I had with the book was the slightly over-emotional sex scenes. The narrator handled it beautifully, but if I'd been reading them I probably would have skimmed or skipped them altogether.


I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this book quite so much in print, but I enthusiastically recommend the audio.


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The Acciendetal Wedding by Anne Gracie

The Accidental Wedding by Anne Gracie

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2011 TBR Challenge- This book has been on my TBR list since November 2010.



The Accidental Wedding is a decently written historical romance with likable characters. No big misunderstandings or other dreaded plot devices to mar what is essentially a fairy tale-- injured rich man gets nursed back to health by impoverished beautiful woman and falls in love.


While the book is nice way to pass a few hours, the plot isn't very deep or complex. The author never lets the suspense build too far and the mysteries in the book are easily figured out early on, including the small mystery of Lizzie's husband.


What the author does best is build the relationship between Maddie and Nash. It was sweet and ultimately enjoyable. I did cringe at how neatly the author chose to wrap of everyone's lives, and how utterly "perfect" Maddie is all the time, but overall I enjoyed the book and recommend it for lovers of historical romances written with a light touch.


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A Loving Scoundrel by Johannah Lindsay

A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2011 TBR Challenge- this has been on my TBR list since Sept 2010

2011 Speaking of Audiobooks Listening Challenge- Listen to a romance sub-genre you usually avoid. While I've listened to many Georgette Heyer books on audio, I rarely read any other historical romances.

3.5* A Loving Scoundrel was an entertaining romance novel, but nothing stands out as unique or extraordinary. It's worth reading if you enjoy light historical romance.

I listened to this on audio, and the narration was serviceable but not inspired. The narrator's choice of emphasis, and her timing, was quite good, but her voices weren't great. She has a fine voice, but not one that relaxes you like some narrators.
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Never Love A Lawman by Jo Goodman

Never Love A Lawman by Jo Goodman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

TBR Reading Challenge 2011- April category: Western

3.5* I wavered whether to round up or down on this one. Goodman is an excellent writer in many ways, and she's obviously done her research on life in the American west in the 19th century. The writing is clear and well-balanced, and the descriptions full of details of everyday life. That detail is both a positive and a negative, depending on the reader. Or, in my case, depending on the part of the story being detailed. At times it was enjoyable to read the small occurrences of everyday of life Goodman chose to describe, such as lighting the stove, walking down the street, the style of dress, and so forth. At other times, too many small details slowed down the story. It took the edge off the action, or diffused some of the tension between Wayne and Rachel.


The story starts out slowly, but it builds well and there are some great characters, both primary and secondary. The writing overall is above average and the plot was interesting and well-executed. I'm planning to check out some other books by Jo Goodman. However, the writing style could be called calm or sedate, and that dampened some of the energy of the book, so it misses the "great" mark by bit.



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Emily and the Dark Angel

Emily and the Dark Angel by Jo Beverley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


TBR Challenge 2011-- Recommended to me in the fall of 2010.


Emily and the Dark Angel was entertaining but not unique. While the book could be rated "G" based on the interactions of the characters, I'd hesitate to recommend this to a young teen because of handling of the subject of mistresses and "whores." One conversation, started by the hero, about who would be the first to "mount" the 17 yr old protege of a well-known "loose-woman" was particularly distasteful. As I said, the language and actual scenes are kisses only, but the tone was more explicit than books by Georgette Heyer for example.


I enjoyed most of the writing, but found it got a little to sweet the last several chapters. The potential for some real angst was diffused before it could take a good hold, and all the reunions and reconciliations were a bit much. Decent book, but it didn't grab me enough to actively seek out more by this author. However, I may check my library for them if I want a quick, easy read.


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