I don't have time to write a review at the moment, so I'll share my earlier tweet:
Just finished reading Never Seduce A Scot. I am now an ooey-gooey s...moreI don't have time to write a review at the moment, so I'll share my earlier tweet:
Just finished reading Never Seduce A Scot. I am now an ooey-gooey sniffling hot mess of happy romance reader.(less)
I hadn't read this series because I don't care for psychics. Jaci Burton kept assuring me this was different and I kept saying uh-huh and not reading...moreI hadn't read this series because I don't care for psychics. Jaci Burton kept assuring me this was different and I kept saying uh-huh and not reading it. During an Audible sale, I took a chance on listening to it and ended up buying the Kindle edition because I only listen to audio while I'm cleaning and that was NOT enough time. Jaci was right and now I have an entire series to glom.(less)
This is my new favorite Julie James book (it was Practice Makes Perfect) and I really wish there was a super shiny, diamond-encrusted sixth star I cou...moreThis is my new favorite Julie James book (it was Practice Makes Perfect) and I really wish there was a super shiny, diamond-encrusted sixth star I could give it. It was sweet, funny, very sexy, had killer dialogue (which makes or breaks books for me) and even made me cry toward the end. I closed this book sorry to see it end, but with a big happy romance reader sigh.(less)
I never got around to reading this series, though I bought the bundle back in September when it was on sale, until I started seeing the trailers for t...moreI never got around to reading this series, though I bought the bundle back in September when it was on sale, until I started seeing the trailers for the movie. Then I saw an extended trailer at the theater and had to read it right now. I'll be going to see the movie, so I knew I had to read the books first.
Hunger Games: I thought the first book was outstanding. Very compelling and somewhat horrifying, but the pacing and narrative voice sucked me in. As the mother of 11 and 16 year old boys, I did catch myself a few times imagining the Tributes as older, but I stopped doing that after a while. I couldn't put it down until I found out how it ended.
Catching Fire: This book was mostly a bridge between the first and third books, but still a good read in its own right. One thing that kept me uneasy throughout was the love triangle. I'm not a fan of love triangles anyway, but this one seemed like more of an emotional knot than most. When I got to the end, i was so glad I had the bundle and could just turn the page to the next book. I would have been so mad if I'd read it when it first released and had to wait for the third book.
Mockingjay: It fell apart a little with the third book. One thing I noticed as I was reading was that, because Katniss was our only POV character, a lot of the action took place off the page. We, as readers, had to sit around and wait with her to get a recap of the important events. It was still an engrossing read, though. And then came...the end.
(view spoiler)[The death that occurs at the end took a big bite out of my enjoyment of the series as a whole. Because of Katniss's primary motivation throughout the entire series, that death was the true ending and it wasn't a happy one. I think it only served as a way to resolve the love triangle and I was disappointed, even though we get a happily ever after epilogue for Katniss. (hide spoiler)]
I'm still giving the Hunger Games trilogy has a whole four stars, though, because it sucked me in and didn't let me go until the very last page. Since I don't read YA and I don't read post-apocalyptic fiction and I rarely read first person, that was quite a feat. (less)
I've loved the entire Lucky Harbor series, but this was my favorite. The chemistry between Sawyer and Chloe was delicious, and the way her asthma conc...moreI've loved the entire Lucky Harbor series, but this was my favorite. The chemistry between Sawyer and Chloe was delicious, and the way her asthma concerned him was so sweet...and also hot. I can't wait for the Cute Guy's story!(less)
I got to read an advance copy of this story and it's one of my favorite reads of 2011. Top three, I'd say off-hand, without looking at everything I re...moreI got to read an advance copy of this story and it's one of my favorite reads of 2011. Top three, I'd say off-hand, without looking at everything I read this year.
I'm fairly new to steampunk, but I found the world to be rich and detailed, without being overwhelming. I never felt lost or confused. The relationship between the hero and heroine had intense conflict and the sexual tension between them was delicious. The plot was fascinating, the holiday theme woven in seamlessly and the ending... Once I got about 3/4 through, my house could have been on fire and the firefighters would have had to carry me out still reading because I never looked up from the Kindle.
I highly recommend Crime Wave in a Corset and, if you haven't tried steampunk yet and you're looking for an approachable novella-sized introduction to it, this is your story.(less)
One of the most fun openings I've read in a long time, and it only got better from there. I've used the phrase "fresh and fun" a thousand times in tal...moreOne of the most fun openings I've read in a long time, and it only got better from there. I've used the phrase "fresh and fun" a thousand times in talking about this book but that really just sums it up for me.
Wife For A Week has all the elements of a good Harlequin Presents: rich hero, pretend marriage, emotion and sex. But he's never THAT Presents hero (you know the one I mean) and she's no doormat.
The most surprising thing for me was the humor. The way some of the dialogue (verbal and internal) lines were delivered was absolutely brilliant. I flat-out loved not only the hero and heroine, but the secondary characters, as well. And there were plenty of surprises along the way.
If I do get around to making a "Best Books I Read in 2011" list, Wife For A Week will be on it even though it's a 2007 release. I highly recommend this to anybody who likes contemporary romance, Presents fans or not.