November 6th, 2009 — 4 Stars, Book Review, Category, Contemporary, D-F, Enemies, Love Triangle, Ranching, United States of America, Virgin Heroine, Western
If you’re looking for a wonderful older romance, Boss Man From Ogallala
is just what you need.
With her father in hospital recovering from broken hip, Casey Gilmore is forced to accept the arrival of Flint McCallister to manage the family ranch. She does not want him there and is extremely put out by the attitude of the bank that forced the situation to happen. Any slight comment about female capability burns her hotter than a stick of dynamite about to explode.
Ranching is in the blood for Casey and Flint. They understand each other when it comes to passion for the land and way of life. When Casey finally accepts Flint’s presence the subdued attraction suddenly flames and both aren’t quite sure what hit them. Things won’t come easy though as Flint is sure Casey wants her childhood flame and she’s sure he doesn’t want her at all.
There’s a short scene where Casey and Flint argue and quite out of the blue (as you don’t see action like this in mainstream romances much anymore) Flint ends the argument by hauling Casey aside and spanking her. It was very jarring in the middle of an otherwise excellently written and delivered romance.
In addition, for all the ups and downs and verbal sparring in the novel, the end is a tad weak. While it was pretty good, I wanted and expected more fireworks as the hero and heroine worked their way through everything. As it were Dailey delivered sparks. A good gut-wrenching phrase or two would have picked the rating of this novel up.
Rating: 4 Stars
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October 2nd, 2009 — Georgette Heyer, Guest Blogger, Regency
By Zarabeth, guest blogger
I know a lot of people like Georgette Heyer and this post isn’t meant to step on your toes in any way if you do, but I really can’t read her! I am a huge fan of historical romance novels and was excited to try the genuine article. I tried, I really did, but she’s not for me and here’s why:
- The Language. I can’t read Regency speak, it’s not only another time period it reads like another language!
- The Diction. Not only do I need a Regency dictionary, I need an Oxford-English dictionary to get through the book! Talk about over my head. I would read and re-read, get frustrated with myself, the book, and the story. I put it down and vow never to force myself through another novel.
- The Turns of Phrase. Thief Cant, Dandy Cant… I cant, cant, can’t! Can you say yikes?!
- The Dialogue. What on earth are the characters saying? Really?
- The Format. Why is all the dialogue ending in exclamation points!!!!!
- The Descriptions. Down to the tie of the cravat and elegantly style coiffure… honestly who knows what they look like?
- The Historical Accuracy. The difference between Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer is that Austen transcends Regency and becomes universal. Heyer is so wrapped up in Regency she can never leave it.
- The Writing Style. Is it me or does Heyer read like narrator omniscient? A plot twist (and I use that word very lightly) occurs and I know all to well where it's going.
- The Manners. I thought I liked Regency manners, but honestly in a Heyer all I want is for them to shake it up a little. So regimented.
- Wasted space. Side characters get way too much time to talk and dither about. I want more focus on the main characters and their love story!
I think it is simply time to walk away, without the disappointment and state that I am just not smart enough to read her! I will stick with my guilty pleasures, Thank You!
P.S. Stay tuned, in a few days Keira will be posting her differing opinion in 10 Reasons to Love Georgette Heyer.
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September 2nd, 2009 — 2.5 Stars, 3 Stars, ARC, Business, Friends, Gentry, Great Britain, J-L, Pregnant, Regency
Loving Mr. Darcy is the second novel in a trilogy by Sharon Lathan detailing the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy after their marriage vows. As such, I recommend reading the first novel Two Shall Become One before entering into this novel as it follows directly on its heels.
What I liked:
- Sharon really knows how to make Regency come alive. Her descriptions of people, places, and things suck you in and refuse to let you go.
- I loved her Georgiana, Mary Bennet, and Catherine de Bourgh. Their voices were perfect, and Catherine’s futile anger was fun to read.
- Darcy’s 23 gifts to Elizabeth for her birthday. I want a birthday like that.
- Pemberley Summer Festival. I'd spoil a little here but Sharon's done an excellent job teasing about clowns.
What I disliked:
- The over the top cutesy “Do you know how much I really, really, really love you?” dialogues Darcy and Elizabeth entered into at least once every chapter. It is extremely sickly sweet. I liked it in the first novel, but it was excessive in the sequel. Well at least for me anyways.
- If I had a dollar for how many times Darcy asked Elizabeth “Are you well?” or a similar variation of the phrase, I’d be a wealthy woman. Elizabeth’s pregnant, not an invalid! Trust me Darcy; you’ll know when she’s not doing well.
- There was no real direction for a good chunk of the story at the beginning of the novel. I wanted more conflict...
Like the first novel, this novel unfolds slowly taking it’s time to depict their daily lives. For those who've ever wondered how it would look, Lathan's trilogy is definitely something you want to pick up and devour. In this second novel, Elizabeth is pregnant and recovering from her episode in the last book which has the direct result in making Darcy crazy overprotective and hovering.
In the end I think this was the right novel, but wrong time for me to read it as Lathan's writing is very much a leisure read to be done while relaxing in a bubble bath for hours not while getting small patches of time here and there.
Rating: 2.5-3 Stars
Buy: Loving Mr. Darcy: Journeys Beyond Pemberley
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April 13th, 2009 — 2 Stars, 3 Stars, Book Review, Comedy of Manners, Contemporary, Cursed Lead, Erotica, Friends, M-O, Paranormal, United States of America, Writer
What is Opposite Sex about? The following phrase captures the idea nicely: "It's like Freaky Friday
...with f*&!king!" It takes the fantasy one step further than What Women Want
where you can hear what the opposite sex truly think and let's you experience things from their perspective.
Do you believe body switching is viable? It’s an interesting idea. I picked this book because it explored the concept.
Monica Westwood narrated Opposite Sex smoothly and naturally. I had no trouble following when Taylor and Jasmine switched bodies… it was effortless to pay attention and keep up, which is always a good thing when it comes to audio presentation.
The preternatural events leading up to the body switching involve sex, wish verbalization, and a smidge of role playing. McQueen wrote it believably or as believable as it can be written. I wasn’t required to make a large leap of faith or stretch my imagination beyond the realms of all possibility.
I disliked the Zack/Jasmine friends to lovers theme. It’s personally not my cup of tea, but you like it then you will enjoy the ending tremendously. I would have preferred Taylor staying the hero instead of slowly losing ground as the hero throughout the novel. I’m of the mind if two strangers can create sex magic and literally jump bodies, that it has to be a once in a lifetime sort of deal and the reason it can occur is because they’re meant for each other. Soul mates in other words literally and figuratively.
If you shy from curse words, this is not the book for you.
Favorite scene: Jasmine as Taylor trying to pass off as the author at the (Sci-Fi?) convention. When it got time for her to join the panel on erotica in books it gets even better. I was laughing uproariously at her thoughts on the philosophy of sex in books.
Writing: 4 of 5 Stars
Personal Preference: 2 of 5 Stars
Narration: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Overall: 3 of 5 Stars
Buy the Audio Version Here!
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