Book Review: Ransome’s Honor by Kay Dacas @kayedacus A fun period story that leaves you wanting more. August 27, 2011

What a fun read.

It was a great period fic. Lots of gloves and manners and protocol. It was nearly twenty chapters before there was even a chaste kiss and it was perfect. I really enjoyed all of the characters. I wish we had seen more of William during the beginning of the book, but overall he was a good male protag.

I think Dacus does the era a great justice, keeping historically accurate with the women’s rights at that time as well as the culture of post-war England.

I’m actually very much looking forward to reading the next in the series. 🙂 I was disappointed that the book ended so quickly. I really wanted to see more of William and Julia. We spent the entire book waiting for them to get it all figured out and when they finally do and you can see how happy they are…. we’re done. So now, I must go in search of the sequel!

I would recommend this to my historical fiction/romance girls. Excellently written and fun too!

Book Reviews: TLC by @barbaradelinsky & A Perfect Stranger by Danielle Steele ~ Campin’ Reads! July 31, 2011

TLC by Barbara Delinsky was an impulse buy when I bought The Stud. One of the best impulse buys ever. I really liked it a lot!

Yes it’s a romance novel, but I loved the underlying story. The dynamic, the love-hate relationship between Karen and the male protag, Brice, is quite fun. It has it’s emotional parts along with the fun snark and witty banter. You guys know how I love my snark and wit!

TLC is a story about a girl named Karen who is a grad student. We begin the story with her visiting an elderly woman in an assisted living home. At first the assumption is it’s a family member but we soon find out that Karen is a woman riddled with guilt and taxing herself so much she falls very, very ill. In walks Dr. Brice… he’s cocky, rude, self-righteous, and anti-social.

And it’s on! 🙂

A Perfect Stranger is another Danielle Steele novel. I say it that way because… well, it’s just another novel. I didn’t fall in love with either of the characters. I felt awfully for Alex the entire length of the story. Raphaella is beaatiful and kind and practically perfect in every way… there are times when your heart jerks for her and you wanna take her home and keep her safe, but then again, there are some times when you just wanna smack the crap out of her! Who at 32 years old would let their father say those things to them? Or let their mother boss them atround in that way??? It’s just insane.

The premise was good… lovely girl trapped in a marriage that her family wanted her in, she was swept away at 18 years old, and you just can’t handle things when you’re super young and overly sheltered. It makes sense she’d go off and marry the guy even if he was 44 years older, I can buy that.

But I was overwhelmed by the first 20 pages of Alex complaining that his wife of two years left him and then we hear more of Raphaela has been practically imprisoned her entire life by the life of luxury and riches and body guards and chauffeurs. It was kind of disconcerting to say the least! Their romance is a lovely one even if it’s fraught with drama and angst… although, by the third or fourth ( I lost count ) reconciliation, I was a little over it.Also, there was entirely too much clothing description. It was hard to believe that Alex, a 30-something lawyer would care that his girlfriend is wearing snake skin shoes from Gucci. Even if he lives in San Fran! 🙂

The ending was sweet, but again, it was lacking. I really wanted more. It was just kind of like, “Okay, and now we’re done.” And after the huge intro of angsty stuff in the beginning, I really wanted more to go on at  the end.

It wasn’t a bad story, but it was a little long for the amount of story you get. I gave it 2.5 stars.

Book Review: The Stud by @BarbaraDelinsky Super fun with super swimmers! :) July 29, 2011

So I picked this book up out of guilt. Strange, right? You’re curious, yes? You think, “But Becca, you never read books out of pressure!? (see Harry Potter) What on Earth are you speaking of?!”

Okay, see what happend was that a twit on a fic site that I frequent decided to take The Stud and rearrange some things and add new names and call it her original idea. (Insert appalled face here.)

I bought into it. Not okay. Fanfiction is okay because you give credit to the author for being made of awesomesauce and then you play in their wake. You don’t take something from someone else and say, “Look at how wicked original and awesome I am!” Like I said, twit. (Insert foot tapping and scowl face here.)

So, chagrinned, I went out in search of this book when I found out that this happened. I looked high and low and  come to find out, it was out of print!

Thankfully, my Shangri La, Bookman’s, a book reseller, happened to have one very old copy of it.

I read this bad boy in one sitting. This story grabbed me by the uterus and kept me entertained. That’s fairly impressive, I’d say. Yes, this is your typical romance with the heaving bosoms and panting breaths…. but she’s an independent businesswoman and he’s an Indiana Jones wanna-be!

Here’s the summary from GoodReads: Jenna McCue wants a baby and chooses an ideal man to be her sperm donor–but he wants the whole package: sex, love and forever.

How could that NOT be entertaining!? No, seriously, this was a very fun, light read. Great locations, lovely descriptions, some angst, lots of lemon, and witty snark (always a must with me) and overall, it didn’t drag or make me wish it would hurry-the-hell-up! I actually enjoyed Jenna and Spencer a lot.

It’s nice to see a romance “girl book” that didn’t have a wilting laurel kind of girl as the lead. Jenna can take care of her own… she just needs some good swimmers! And I must admit, Spencer is a fun character.

He reminded me of Michael Douglas’ character in Romancing the Stone.

And I think Jenna is a touch of Diane Keaton from Baby Boom.

Yes, I’m a child of the Eighties… don’t judge me!

Overall, this was a great fluffy beach/lake read. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for something a lil’ smutty and squishy with just the right amount of “Awww!”

Great giveaway for @naturallysteph’s Lola and Anna! July 21, 2011

Go check it out and tell thenerdswife I send you! 😀
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1RGHbj/thenerdswife.com/2011/07/stephanie-perkins-signing-and-giveaway.html

You could win this:

or this:

😀

Book Review: ARC of Tangled Past by Leah Braemel @LeahBraemel May 28, 2011

I was interested in this story mainly due to it’s poly relationship premise. I enjoy historical romances, but I don’t always get into Westerns, this was a different kind of Western though. Although there were the fun cattle rustling, horse riding, dirty varment kind of stuff within the pages that you’d hope for within a Western Romance novel, Tangled Past also has an intricately woven romance story line that you normally don’t see. It is unique and very well thought out.

Yes, it is a romance. There are flowery prose and professings of love, but there are two male main characters and they are vying for the love of our female lead, Sarah. They are also vying for each other as well as Sarah.

Jackson is rough edged and abrupt, but he’s honest and loyal.

Nate is kind and sweet, but earnest and passionate.

I couldn’t help but fall in love with both of them right along with our tough Sarah.

Sarah’s life hasn’t been easy and even though her tale is very realistic for this time period and sometimes hard to read about, you come to find her strength and drive very enduring and attractive. Nothing ruins a romance more in my opinion than a “wilting flower” as Miss Martha calls them, the wise sage in Tangled Past.

Leah does a lovely job of creating three distinct characters that bring three distinct pieces together into a beautiful relationship. Their connection reminded me of a symbol I have tattooed on my back, the Trinity Heart Celtic Knot. Where one piece ends, another begins so there is truly no end. I would have loved to have been able to read more, especially later in the story.

I did find several type errors that brought me out of the story a few times, but that’s the beta in me. I’d love to give this story a once over before it’s published to make sure it is grammatically correct and reads smoothly. This story is quite enjoyable and deserves to sparkle.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romances, especially of the Western variety. I’m sure it’s not easy setting this balance that you find in Tangled Past. Leah handles polygamy with care and it’s not only emotional but beautiful and erotic. I would definitely like to read something from Leah again.

Thank you again to Carina Press for allowing me to preread their ARCs. I very much appreciate being given these opportunities!

Book Review: Notturno by @ZAMaxfield Awesome paranormal read! May 21, 2011

What an emotional story!
I picked this out because it looked like a naughty romp, but it turned out to be more so. Adin’s story made my heart hurt over and over!

I was reading over the last day and my stomach kept dropping. It seemed like every chapter I had to tweet ZA about how much my heart hurt for Adin!

Donte is a lovely vampire character and the entire story just makes you swoon and smile and gasp. ZA has a wonderful way about her fluency and word choice, the way Donte and Adin coin a phrase was just adorable and fun. You could feel the attraction as you’re reading. It starts passionately and ends passionately. It’s a lovely mix of intrigue and action, mystery and conversation. It’s wonderful!

It was a fantastic story. If you’re looking for something that combines paranormal romance with intrigue and fun for a really great read, I highly recommend!

Book Review: His Enemy’s Daughter by Terri Brisbin May 15, 2011

Total bodice-busting, lusty fun 🙂
It was the usual man vs. man, beauty and the beast retelling with a Briton/Norman/Saxon rebellion thrown in for funzies. It was a very quick read. Took me about two hours total from start to finish while we drove up the mountain.
I would highly recommend this if you are looking for some virginity-stealing, swoony, giggly good times with the marauding, hulking good-bad-guy knight and the fierce, do-gooding virgin with spunk.
All around brain candy 🙂

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 8: Lover Mine by J.R. Ward *sigh* May 9, 2011

Oooooh…. John Matthew!

I was completely absorbed and enthralled by his story. Since we met him way back in the earlier books as the scared, abused pretrans. Then his growth and changes, meeting his support system, watching all the pain and suffering he goes through to become who he is at the end of this book. Oh.my.god!

It just killed me over and over. It took me a lot longer to get through this one due to the heavy subject matter, not only with John, but also with Xhex, the flashbacks of Tohr, and Lash. It all melded nicely together in this story, but it also hurt! Especially, Xhex’s storyline. Wow. Incredible.

I really liked learning more about where Xhex came from and learning about John Matthew and his connection to Xhex. His story is hard to read, but it’s so well told.

I also loved seeing Blay in action and his storyline coming out. I’m hoping we get more of his story in number nine. It is so refreshing to have a m/m storyline other than what we learned about some of the Brothers in earlier stories. This is a dedicated storyline and it’s awesome. Angsty and beautiful 🙂

These books have me so completely addicted. It’s ridiculous. And I’ve begun enabling others and bringing them along too 🙂 At least I’m not alone!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 7: Lover Avenged April 28, 2011

Yep… I think I have fallen for every brother and now Rehvenge.

What an awesome story. My heart is still stuck on John, but I’m also totally enthralled with the others. This one took me four days to read. A lot longer in comparison with the others.I blame my own writing and work. If I didn’t have to work and support my husband, I would’ve read all day and gotten it done sooner!

Rehv as he’s known throughout the book is such an interesting character. Full of self loathing and a savior complex. He feels like everyone is worth of love and care save himself… he feels he is worthless, worth no one’s time, and is willing to sacrifice himself for everyone else.

His story begins in tragedy and just kind of wanders around a garden of thorns and landmines. When the addition of Ehlena comes in, you just sit back and watch. You know what will happen- Beauty and the Beast a la vampires and sympaths.

It’s totally easy to call, but at the same time, you are glued on that story… on them. They are a fun combination. A spunky, spendthrift nurse and a angry, self hating, drug dealing pimp. You would think oil and water… and you’re right. But man is it fun to watch.

You also get to know Xhex and the Moors more, which is great. I’m hoping with the next installation we’ll learn ever more about these guys and John Matthew and his boys.

I am really enjoying this series as I’m sure you all can tell. In the last 15 days I’ve read all seven of the BDB books and I’ve enjoyed every single one! 🙂

Anyone know how I can get a hold of J.R. Ward so I can thank her with much gusto and fervor?!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 6: Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward April 21, 2011

Lover Enshrined… encapsulated… controlled… captured…. frozen.

 

 

Although this one was much shorter, this book had a lot of heart.

Between the main story about Phury and the subplots of John, Quihnn, Blay, Bella, Z, and the others as well, you become enshrined.

And you can see each one of these storylines mingling within each other and how each of the characters has an entrapment. Phury’s addictions, Cormia’s prison-like home, Rehv’s nature, John’s emotions, and Blay’s heart, Bella’s pregnancy, Z’s past, hell… even Lash’s patronage.

I was really impressed with this one when it came to the story line, the continuity, the push and pull between all the characters for dominance. I really liked Phury and Cormia… their story was so strong and passionate and not just because of the physicality, it’s that mental connection of them both being captives to their situations and how they rose above that both separately and together. It was so beautiful.

Something about Cormia’s character called to me. Maybe it’s my situation in my life at the moment. The call of duty outweighing the need for independence and chasing your own desires… it really hit home for me.

Cormia seems so weak in the beginning, such a pushover. She’s so willing to submit and serve, but as she breaks out of that shell, with the help of Phury, John, and Bella… she finds out that she is a living, breathing choice. Not just a Chosen one. She has more to her than subservience and duty. With each of these stories I fall in love more and more with these characters.

It was really well done and I can’t wait to start number seven.

This was such a quick read, it took me less than eight hours and I had to work today too. It was just that…. enthralling? What’s the right word.
Just a good read 🙂