Review: Prudence by Elizabeth Bailey

On 23/05/201312/07/2014 By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations

The Particulars: Historical Romance, Harlequin Historical, avaible as e-book, out of print

The Source: The Bookshelf

The Grade: B-

The Blurb:

Would Her Tender Heart Lead Her Into His Arms?
No one was more aware of their position in life than governess Prudence Hursley. Fresh from the Paddington Charitable Seminary, softhearted Prue expected to see little of her new employer, Mr. Julius Rookham, and was prepared for a life of lonely independence.
However, Julius’s willful niece continually threw Prue into his path, and the more she got to know the dashing confirmed bachelor, the more she found herself wishing for the impossible. So when Julius began actively seeking out her company, she couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps dreams did come true….

The review:

Edit: I discovered that information at Goodreads was wrong, so I changed the title and cover.

This book is one of my favorite Regencies, but I hadn’t re-read it for awhile, so when I found it at my mum’s recently I decided to read it again.

And I am glad I did. This is a charming Regency without any dukes or earls, which was a nice change.

Most of the book took place at Rookham Hall, and it felt believable to me. I appreciated the tiny details, from the drab dress Prue wore, to the way the staff had their internal tensions.

But mostly, I enjoyed getting re-aquitanced with Prue and Joshua. Both of them were very down to earth, and happy with their lives ( mostly). I enjoyed reading about Prue’s adjustment to life in the Rookham household. From how she struggled with bouts of missing her friends, to how she started to get to know the rambunctious twins.

I enjoyed Prue and Joshua’s romance. It was sweet, and slow paced. What I liked was that both Prue and Joshua struggled with their growing feelings, although their reasons were different. But that made me like the book even more.

Despite all the things I liked about the book, it took awhile before it hooked me. Which might have been because I have read it before.

Review: When Summer comes by Brenda Novak

On 09/05/2013 By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, available as e-book and in print

The Source: purchased at Kobo

The Grade: C+

The blurb:

One day, Callie Vanetta receives devastating news

She needs a liver transplant. But her doctors warn that, in her case, the chances of finding a compatible donor aren’t good.

Determined to spend whatever time she has left on her own terms, she keeps the diagnosis to herself and moves out to her late grandparents’ farm. She’s always wanted to live there. But the farm hasn’t been worked in years and she begins to fear she can’t manage it, that she’ll have to return to town.

One night, a stranger comes knocking at her door

He’s an attractive and mysterious drifter by the name of Levi McCloud, and he offers to trade work for a few nights’ shelter. Callie figures she doesn’t have anything to lose. He needs a place to stay until he can fix his motorcycle; she needs an extra pair of hands. The arrangement seems ideal until what was supposed to be temporary starts to look more and more permanent. Then she realizes she does have something to lose—her heart. And, although he doesn’t yet know it, Levi stands to lose even more.

The Review:

I have wanted to read Brenda Novak for awhile, so when this was on sale, I decided to give it a try.

And I am glad I did.

I liked both Callie and Levi. Callie was open hearted, and loyal to her friends. Levi was scarred by his past, and had his reasons for drifting through he states. They are each others opposites, which made their romance even sweeter. I enjoyed following their relationship as it developed from virtual strangers to lovers.

I appreciated that the threat to their relationship came from different sources. There were both Callie’s struggle with her disease, and keeping her slow decline from her family and friends. And then there were Whiskey Creek’s reaction to Levi. Somewere wary, some was more positive. I liked how Levi slowly won over Callie’s friends as they got to know him.

That said it wasn’t perfect. The biggest problem was tha I felt that the uncertainty of Callie’s disease overshadowed their path to HEA. And, I also felt that Levy’s issues was wrapped up too neatly. To me it felt like the author waved a wand, and they were gone. poff

Review: Copper Lake Secrets by Marilyn Pappano

On 20/03/2012 By MikaelaIn reviews

The Particulars: Romantic Suspense, Harlequin, available as e-book

The Source: Purchased at Allromance

The Grade: B-

The Blurb:

“What happened that summer?”

The ill-fated vacation Reece Howard spent at her grandparents’ Georgia home long ago changed her in ways her mind still refuses to remember. She forgot about the man she once knew as “Jones,” but she can’t ignore the flashes of desire she now feels toward him. With her family estranged, she doesn’t have a good reason to return to Fair Winds. Until now.

Jones is looking for answers…answers he can find only at the plantation he left behind years before. By surprise, he discovers Reece there—all grown up and beautiful—never imagining he might be able to help chase away her demons. And neither of them expects an attraction as combustible as the secrets surrounding them.

But falling in love might be the most dangerous thing they can do…

The Review:

I love Marilyn Pappano’s Copper Lake books. I don’t rush out and buy the latest immediately, since I am not keeping track of her release schedule, but I buy them when I am in the mood for Romantic Suspense, set in the South. This book is no different. Or actually, it is. It has the additional element of a haunted plantation filled with secrets.Which is another thing that I love.

The atmosphere gave me goosebumps. Part of it was because it could be taken from a historical novel, set in the south. From the house, to Miss Willa’s manners. Just about everything.

It was nailbiting to follow Reece and Jones search for the truth of what happened that summer 15 years earlier. Their search shed new light on what happened all those years ago. From Reece arrival, to the foggy memories that she have dreamt nightmares about.

The characters felt like mirror images of each other. They were estranged from their families, both of them had lost something during their Summer in Copper Lake. It was touching to read about their unfolding romance.

So what I didn’t like. If this had been release as a Paranormal Suspense, I would have given it an A. Since it is published as a Romantic Suspense, I cannot give it an A. Why? The romance between Reece and Jones are sweet and touching, but there is no obstacles for them to overcome in their relationship. Or if it is, it was swallowed by the Suspense part of the book.

Still, I enjoyed it and I plan to read more by Marilyn Pappano in the future.

Review: The Highwayman by Michele Hauf

On 27/10/2011 By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

The particulars: Paranormal Romance, Silhouette Nocturne, available as e-book and in print
Source: The Library
The Grade: B
The Blurb:

Max Fitzroy, the legendary Highwayman, has slain scores of demons with a razor-lined whip and a burning need for revenge. Now, to rid himself of the demon shadow inside him—who has cursed him with immortality and stole all sensual pleasures—Max needs a witch’s familiar, the one creature he’s made a career of killing.

But the Highwayman isn’t prepared for the familiar named Aby. The sleek and sexy conduit to the demon realm sees past his nightmarish shadow as easily as he scales the walls she’s erected to protect herself. Max needs Aby to grant him his freedom, and then he needs to slay her. But how can he destroy the only creature he’s desired in centuries?

The Review:

What I liked:

I loved that the main characters wasn’t one of the standard vampire/witch/ werewolf. I am a bit tired of those. Instead, Aby is a cat Familiar and determined to keep her new won independent. Max is equally determined to make change her mind. Both positions made sense, but it was fun to follow their struggle with the attraction. There were a couple of testosterone laden meetings between Max and Severo that was fun to read.

I liked how Ms Hauf used the belief that cat’s have nine lives in the story. The flashback fitted nicely into the plot, and gave a glimpse in what had happened when Max got his demon. Normally I don’t like flashbacks, since when they are done wrong they often drag down the plot. In general, the plot was focused on Max and his search to get rid of the demon. The twists took me by surprise, but they made sense.

What I didn’t like:
This might be picky, but I didn’t like Aby’s name. I wanted to add a b while I read. On the other hand, she shifts into an Abyssinian cat.

Summary:

This was a wellwritten novel, set in an intresting world. It is a bit short, but perfect when you want something to read during a lazy day.

Review: Unveiled by Courtney Milan

On 15/07/2011 By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Unveiled by Courtney Milan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Particulars: Historical Romance, HQN, available in print and as e-book.
The Review:
The blurb:
Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family—and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance….

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who’s stolen her fortune and her father’s legacy—the man she’s been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion….

My impressions:

This is another book that has been in my TBR file for awhile. I have wanted to read Courtney Milan’s book since I have heard good things about her. After reading Unveiled, I am wondering why it took me so long to read it. This is… I am not sure how to explain it. There is so many aspects that affect the characters. When I read it, my heart went out to the characters. Both Ash and Margaret is scarred by their parents. Sometimes, I was amazed that Margaret didn’t help her father on, since she posed as his nurse. But, she didn’t,and that made me like her more. I felt for Ash when he struggled with his guilt over things he did. But, this isn’t a bleak book. More than anything, it is a book about hope, about love.

View all my reviews

Here Comes the Groom by Karina Bliss

On 10/02/2011 By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Here Comes the Groom by Karina Bliss

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Superromance, available both in print and e-book

Why was it in my TBR? I picked it up for Smart Bitch Sarah’s bookclub, but I never got around to read it.

The Review:

The blurb:

If Jocelyn Swann weren’t so furious she’d probably laugh. Her best friend, Dan Jansen, has launched a campaign worthy of his Special Forces Training to arrange their wedding, from music and minister to flowers and food. What part of no does he not understand?

Their marriage agreement was a tipsy scrawl on the back of a coaster three years ago. It’s not a question of love. Of course she loves Dan. She’s loved him all her life. If only she could get him to slow down a minute and listen – to be the friend she needs right now – she could convince him that marriage would ruin everything.

My impressions:
This is the first book by Karina Bliss that I have read. And I must say, I am impressed. In a limited space created a funny, yet touching story about love, and acceptance.
I smiled when I read about their courting. How Jo stubbornly insisted it was a joke, while Dan calmly continued to prepare for the wedding.. Jo’s reasons for refusing to marry Dan makes sense. He is wounded after the death of his friends. And, he needs to accept that he isn’t to blame.
I liked that Jo gradually realised that she couldn’t take care of her grandmother any. The way it was portrayed felt realistic.

All in all this was an enjoyable story, and I will definitely read more by Karina Bliss!

View all my reviews