This was really good. I enjoyed it about as much as I did the first book in this trilogy - much more than the second. It is set in the same world, and...moreThis was really good. I enjoyed it about as much as I did the first book in this trilogy - much more than the second. It is set in the same world, and we encounter the same characters, so that was satisfying, however this book definitely had its own plot arc. I think the best thing about it was the quirky heroine. Rosemary is something of an outsider to the group we have been following the last two books, whereas Wes, the male lead, is a part of Adam Temple's kitchen staff. But her quirky genius, bumbling, dorky, romantic persona was just great. I mean, she wears Star Wars T Shirts, she speaks directly, she's honest and open, and I just loved that about her. Not to mention... a Browncoats shirt? Really? Gold Star, Ms Edwards. :)
My gushing aside, the love story here has depth, intensity, connection - really everything I want in a love story. Not only that, but we get to follow through to the conclusion of Jess and Frankie's story and I was quite interested to see that work out, after the mess it was left in in book 2. So, happy endings all around! Sorry if that is a spoiler... but what do you expect from a romance novel?! Really, the overridingly interesting dimension these books had for me (besides interesting, well-rounded characters I could care about), was how all the main characters are obsessed with food. In this book even more than the others, the preparation and enjoyment of food was a pivotal aspect of the romantic relationship. This fundamental connection rings true to me... can't wait for more of these books.(less)
Another good period romance by Sherry Thomas. What I like so much about her books is that they all feel very appropriate to the period (generally post...moreAnother good period romance by Sherry Thomas. What I like so much about her books is that they all feel very appropriate to the period (generally post-Victorian England) and capture those nuances that I love so much from that society, yet at the same time they ring very true as modern tales about believable, relatable heroes, etc, whose experiences, though they occur in this other period of history (and other part of the world), seem so real. It's not so much the outer trappings of the story, which, let's face it, are rather Victorian and the plot is a little contrived. But the experiences and growth of the characters, as they encounter each other and go through their lives, are gripping and exciting. This kept me on the edge of my seat and I was very happy when the leads finally reached their happy ending. (less)
I quite enjoyed this, for all the premise (and the blurb) are at least mildly ridiculous. There is something to be said for an author who can write an...moreI quite enjoyed this, for all the premise (and the blurb) are at least mildly ridiculous. There is something to be said for an author who can write an engaging book that you don't want to put down, when the plot is marginally lame and the characters are annoying. That is quite an accomplishment!
So, what do I mean... I guess the ridiculousness of the book can be pegged to the character Rohan, who is a lecher and a debaucher, in fact the "King of Hell" who ruthlessly despoils young ladies, throws orgies and pagan rituals, all in the name of effete, noble boredom. It's utterly preposterous. And you wonder if it will just read like porn, given that is his major pastime. Then you have the poor young noble, down on her luck yet plucky heroine who is not afraid to stand up to him. Their romance is somewhat predictable. And they are annoying in that they both refuse to acknowledge their feelings for each other, to the point where you are just annoyed with both of them. and YET, I really enjoyed the book. The pacing was excellent. The dialogue was witty and portrayed these characters (flaws and all) excellently. There were twists, there was suspense, and it was all very well done.
As to the question of, is it obscene or not? Well, Stuart does a masterful job of differentiating the scenes with sexual interaction with them, and portraying the tone and emotions of the participants. So, the orgy-esque scenes (of which there are really only a few) are remarkably non-titillating. Because Rohan is witnessing them, and he is utterly bored of it. The love scenes between the two leads are completely charged with energy, because they are so desparate for each other and totally denying it. And there are all manner of other scenes I won't go into here, to avoid giving away plot points - but in every case Stuart's depiction of the emotion of the participants was extremely well-done. Which is what made this enjoyable, even though I really didn't find it plausible.
So 4 stars for the craftsmanship of this book and 3 stars for the plot. Lands at 3.5 stars for me.(less)
I don't normally do 5 stars. In fact, I am not sure there is another paranormal type romance book (if this could be called that) among my shelves with...moreI don't normally do 5 stars. In fact, I am not sure there is another paranormal type romance book (if this could be called that) among my shelves with 5 stars. But this one HAS to have 5 stars - for the worldbuilding! I was intrigued, fascinated, compelled by this alternate Edwardian England which had undergone 200 years of Mongolian occupation (by the Mongolian "Horde" and the Khan). It is not often that a book with a romance as one of its main premises, is so compelling in its plot, characters, and worldbuilding, that the romance is just a nice afterthought! For all the great pacing and gripping romance in this one (and it was good!) I was just so blown away by the world it was set in, that the romance clearly took a back seat. I couldn't put it down. I read it straight through in about 5 hours.
I adored the characters. Mina is a fantastic heroine. She is whip smart, determined, direct, and unfailingingly ethical. She is remarkably practical, and although she has a really crappy life in many ways (she is a half-Horde bastard who is abused at times) she does not bemoan her lot, but seeks to make it better. This character walked a fine line and could have been melodramatic, but was not. She is righteous at times, but picks her battles with much savvy. In short, I admire her greatly and find her exceedingly well-drawn. Rhys is also complicated and compelling. I did not enjoy his character quite so much, he was a little dense about some things. I REALLY like that although he is a celebrated hero of England who saved the country from Horde rule and all that... Mina still saves his ass more than once in the book. Yeah!
The true star of this book, as I have said, is its world. The Horde infected the English with nano-agents through imported sugar for centuries, and then invaded and took over Europe and England, keeping them as farming centers, enslaving the people and controlling them via the nanoagents, or bugs. Since the fall of the Horde, 9 years before the start of the book, some English who had fled to America during the Horde occupation, have returned. Thus we have "buggers" and "bounders" - a meaty political and social polemic for the story's setting. The Horde not only infected everyone with bugs, but these bugs have made the people susceptible to prosthetics and other alterations... there is truly a chilling horror to this element of the story. Take all the disturbing images that seem to so tied to the steampunk ethos (think the Alien) and then imagine a believable story as to how they came to be... that is this book.
The way these plot and worldbuilding elements are then tied into the emotions and thoughts of the characters is masterful. If you really lived in such a world, you would think and feel differently. If your emotions had been controlled by outsiders for years, when such a thing ended there would be repercussions for you to deal with, psychologically. Brook has incorporated this into her book. She doesn't shy away from any interaction between the world and its characters. She has not taken an easy way out. She has included pirates, airships, androids, ZOMBIES (eep!), doctors, policemen, well you name it, and it all feels real. Amazing book.
I can't wait to read more in this world, obviously. But this one does stand alone. The exciting news for me is, I really haven't read anything else by Meljean Brook other than one short story (which didn't give me the same impression of her that this book did). So now I have some time to go read all her other work, while I am waiting for the next in this series!(less)
I enjoyed this one even more than the first one, in spite of the continuing ludicrous mechanism of the "Heavenly Host". It's hard to put my finger on...moreI enjoyed this one even more than the first one, in spite of the continuing ludicrous mechanism of the "Heavenly Host". It's hard to put my finger on it. Yes, this romance follows a formula very well trod... yes, it's really a modern romance masquerading as a period novel, when none of the characters really have any true period sensibilities at all... yes, it's predictable as can be. But it was so fun to read anyway!
I think the reason I liked it more than the first is that the 2 main characters are so much more likeable. Adrian is not as pretentious as his father. Charlotte is much more practical and her awkwardness much more believable than Elinor's. In short, there is just considerably less melodrama. What there is alot of is wonderful interaction between the two of them. They play with each other, they deny each other, and of course they come together quite... explosively!
Stuart has a real gift for writing romances. Her romantic leads connect very strongly and her stories, however silly they may seem, really do sweep you away. I enjoyed the secondary romance in this one too, although it was quite comical. Stuart's flair for writing good characters extended in particular to Simon Pagett, the vicar who falls for Charlotte's cousin Lina. I found him intriguing, with unexpected candor and depth. Although the characters often follow a very certain formula, he seemed to me to break that mold a little.
All in all, this was really fun. Don't get me wrong, there is tension and not everyone is happy through the whole book. But it has quite a bit of levity and even through the sad or nasty bits, you know it's all going to end happily. (less)
I liked this less than the second in the series. I think I agree with many other reviewers, that the hero was just too unlikeable. Even though the her...moreI liked this less than the second in the series. I think I agree with many other reviewers, that the hero was just too unlikeable. Even though the heroine supposedly felt drawn to him anyway, we just never saw enough of what made him worthy or appealing. I did like the heroine. And I liked the secondary romance. But it was not as riveting as I had hoped.(less)
I didn't actually finish, so much as I just got bored and disgusted with this and quit reading it. I could just care less where it's going, I am not i...moreI didn't actually finish, so much as I just got bored and disgusted with this and quit reading it. I could just care less where it's going, I am not interested!(less)
This is the first "romantic suspense" novel I have ever read. It was also a very different thing for me from Anne Stuart's period romances which I hav...moreThis is the first "romantic suspense" novel I have ever read. It was also a very different thing for me from Anne Stuart's period romances which I have enjoyed alot. I did enjoy this book but it left me a little unsatisfied as well. I think I have different standards for suspense novels than I do for romances and I am not really sure how those genres fit together. To me, a good suspense novel can have a little romance in it, and a good romance novel should always have some suspense, but I'm not sure one can carry off being of both genres. At least, I'm not sure this one does.
I have not read alot of suspense novels, honestly, but the one that left an indelible impression of excellence on me was The Bourne Identity. It was convoluted, mysterious, insanely tense, there was weird psyschological romance, the style of it was more implication than action at points (why the movie failed, to me, to convey the same excellence). So, I couldn't help comparing this book to that one. And, it left me wanting.
The romance aspect of the book was good, for me. I did enjoy the interactions of Chloe and Bastien. I did enjoy watching Bastien thaw from his cold killer persona as he fell in love with Chloe. But the whole arms dealers / secret agents / action aspect of the book was just not well enough put together. And so I couldn't help feeling the plot was wanting. If it was supposed to be suspense as a backdrop for romance, I guess it would be OK. But it felt like it was intended to be nail-biting and tense... and that aspect of the plot was ho-hum, seriously telegraphed from the beginning.
All in all I'd say my verdict is I am going to try to stick to Stuart's historical romances when I read her again. Although I liked this, and it was familiar as Stuart (ie, a roguish rake as a hero, taking advantage of the heroine and then falling for her), I didn't like it quite as much as the first two Rohan books.(less)
Read this in one sitting. While I definitely enjoyed it, I'm on the fence with 3/4 stars. I landed at 3 because I just don't feel this is ultimately g...moreRead this in one sitting. While I definitely enjoyed it, I'm on the fence with 3/4 stars. I landed at 3 because I just don't feel this is ultimately going to be a very memorable book for me. I wanted to read something of Howard's because she is so popular and this book was so well-liked by others. It was also readily available at the library. I can see why it's so popular, really, it's incredibly appealing in a very mainstream way. There is a hot romance, some suspense, and a happy ending. What's not to like?
Well, for me, it just didn't POP too much. The romance was great but I knew from the start she was going to fall for him. I did enjoy their verbal sparring very much though, and the sex scenes were really well-written! The suspense was just ho-hum for me. I figured out the twist really early on so that was disappointing. The whole "List" concept that the 4 ladies come up with was really not that interesting. I had a hard time with all the attention they seemed to get from it. I wonder how much times have changed in America since 2000 when this was set to have me thinking that?
Howard does write good (if predictable) characters. Even though I never really got Jaine's supposedly sharp, amazing sense of humor, I felt the other character's connections to it in their interactions. Jaine herself was fun and reminded me not a little of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum. Her romance with Sam definitely reminded me of Stephanie's with Joe Morelli (though it actually went somewhere, thank god!). The one big difference is, this book didn't have me laughing out loud nearly as much as Evanovich's!
I liked it, it was a solid diversion for the 4 or so hours I read it in. But I don't feel the need to go find her other books right away or anything.(less)
I read this... twice!... awhile back. Didn't realize I missed reviewing it. Not feeling like doing so now, but it is great! I LOVE Julie James' books!...moreI read this... twice!... awhile back. Didn't realize I missed reviewing it. Not feeling like doing so now, but it is great! I LOVE Julie James' books! Can't wait for her next one.(less)
How fun was this book! It was funny, poignant, and very clever. The premise is just absurd, and at first I was not that impressed... so the story is,...moreHow fun was this book! It was funny, poignant, and very clever. The premise is just absurd, and at first I was not that impressed... so the story is, "cranky" Agnes, a food columnist, has bought her dream house in a small town in SC, and her ownership of the house is contingent on her throwing a wedding there over a weekend for her goddaughter. However, something mysterious is going on, and a backwoods dognapper shows up waving a gun, intent on stealing her bloodhound. So her retired mobster buddy calls up his nephew, an active US government hitman, to come watch over her. Oh, and she has a lame fiance. So far, so good, I am following the story and I can see there is a romance in the future and you know, I like that sort of thing... but not that impressed.
Next, enter the grandmother of the bride, the mother of the groom, and the mother of the bride... a random Irish handyman, more backwoods dog/Agnes assassins, and a couple of flamingos... and boy, hijinks are starting to ensue, but I am exhausted with all the characters and all the details. The humor is enough to make me chuckle but no really great humor. Oh and Agnes and Shane (hitman) hook up and that makes me all warm and fuzzy for them.
Eventually, more and more people get murdered, the gang starts to band together, Agnes keeps on cooking everyone food and telling it like it is... and for about the last quarter of the book, I was just joyful with it! It came together so beautifully. Every little detail that exhausted me came back to create such a nice, full, picture of the great ending. The suspense element, with Shane trying to take on a hit and gradually figuring out his mob ties, was really well paced. In the end, I was happy for the happy ending, and quite satisfied.
This book would make a great movie... except for the reservation I have, that movies are never as good as books.(less)
Another good period romance from Dahl. Very tense, great pacing. It is rather a cheesy cover, and title... not really indicative of the story. Emma is...moreAnother good period romance from Dahl. Very tense, great pacing. It is rather a cheesy cover, and title... not really indicative of the story. Emma is a young noblewoman whose family have all died, leaving her virtually penniless - she has undertaken to travel to London, under the guise of a widow, and engage in games of chance with nobleman suckers, to make her fortune in a few short months, before someone finds out the ruse and she has to flee. It's utterly brazen (not to mention preposterous) and you can't help but love her a little for pulling it off so well. Oh, and she is tortured because she holds herself responsible for her brother's death at the hands of her drunk father.
But then she encounters Hart, a dissolute and cold nobleman who immediately is intrigued with her, and a delightful game of cat and mouse ensues. Ultimately what makes the book work is the way Emma and Hart are together - insightful and bold with each other, constantly daring each other, and powerfully drawn to each other. The plot itself is not as strong as the connection between them. But, it works to get the job done. I did feel that Hart had to jump through a little more hoops than Emma did by way of making the relationship work - just not sure that was entirely plausible, that after she continually spurns him, he is going to say, oh she is just pushing me away out of fear, I'll go after her anyway... riiiiiight. Anyway, it worked for them, and was diverting for me for a few hours.
Another solid historical from Dahl - and might I add it was nice to have a historical (one with "Rake" in the title no less) that did not feature a cold, abusive hero taking advantage of a young innocent girl. Emma and Hart are on equal footing here, in their relationship if not in society. That is a big factor for me in my enjoyment of it, I think - and makes it feel more contemporary than some others I have read lately.(less)
Oh, I wanted to love this. I have so loved the other 3 books Julie James has written. And this had a lot of the same elements, and I did like it very...moreOh, I wanted to love this. I have so loved the other 3 books Julie James has written. And this had a lot of the same elements, and I did like it very much. But it didn't resonate quite as much for me. I am wondering if it is because this is the first book she has written where the main character is not a lawyer. Maybe that was why it didn't have quite the authenticity the others have (since James was a lawyer before becoming a writer). Don't get me wrong, it sizzled, it sparkled, it did the right things, and I did like it, and I bet I will read it again. But it just didn't have the same fantastic quality the other 3 had. Not to dissect it too much more... but not only was she not a lawyer, she was a billionaire heiress, working for a living... it just seemed like a bit of a trope to me. I will keep buying anything Julie James puts out. This one was just not my total fave.(less)
This was a quick little read, and I liked it! If you have read Talk Me Down by Dahl, the main character Molly in that book writes erotic bestsellers u...moreThis was a quick little read, and I liked it! If you have read Talk Me Down by Dahl, the main character Molly in that book writes erotic bestsellers under the name Holly Summers, and the book that spurs some of the dramatic tension in TMD is one that she wrote about her long-time ex and hottie Sheriff Ben Lawson. Well, this book is Dahl writing as Holly Summers, and I do believe it's supposed to be that book of Molly's from TMD. Which is a neat idea! And, since we now know Molly writes like Victoria Dahl, we now understand why she is a bestselling author! :)
The plot of this short e-book is pretty slim. A recent English widow moves to the wilds of colonial Wyoming and takes up with an upstanding Sheriff who lives next door. She is a sexual submissive, and he is a closet dominant, and together they discover lots of hot BDSM sex, while establishing a real emotional connection (of course!). When the Sheriff gets injured, potentially lying near death, they realize they just can't live without each other. Awwww.
So, the real content of this book of course is not the plot, but the sex. As I have come to expect from Dahl, she keeps it totally scorching while still keeping real honest connection and mutual respect at the forefront - not always easy I think when part of the sexplay involves tying up/spanking/playing at humiliation. I am not really into this kind of thing, but as with Start Me Up by Dahl, I found it a wonderful way to illustrate the trust and respect, oddly enough, between the two characters. So one of them is spanking the other and this is demonstrative of trust and respect, you ask? Well, I don't think it always is, probably in books or in real life. But in Dahl's books, it is, and I really love the way she puts that respect and trust at the forefront. This book did not have quite the profound level of connection and character development I felt SMU had, because that book was (longer and) about long-time friends falling in love, but it did echo the theme of the female character discovering things about both her life and her expectations of it, as she explored her sexuality.
Not a terrible book, my first by Sarah Mayberry. It's a friends-to-lovers romance premise. The characters were decently engaged and I did feel for Del...moreNot a terrible book, my first by Sarah Mayberry. It's a friends-to-lovers romance premise. The characters were decently engaged and I did feel for Delaney, pining away for her BFF like that as he's totally oblivious. But ultimately it just felt self-indulgent and I can't get very excited about characters who are so completely unself-aware. Plus, although there is a HEA (surprise!) it came right at the very end of the book - after all that dancing about and not loving her, Sam finally admits he loves her and then there is only 2 pages of denouement? Puh-lease! Guess this was just not quite psychological or twisted enough for me!(less)
So this is sort of in a series with a couple of other Dahl historicals I have read (can't quite recall the names, as they are always only vaguely rela...moreSo this is sort of in a series with a couple of other Dahl historicals I have read (can't quite recall the names, as they are always only vaguely related to the actual plots) and apparently I read them out of order, with the 3rd one first, then the 2nd, then this one which is the first. It doesn't really matter, they stand-alone, but they do occur in a chronological order and are about related characters who appear in all three books.
So, in the context of those other 2, I think this was my least favorite of the three. Dahl seems to always write some psychology into her romance, and she does it well. Her grasp of this leads her to be one of my more favored romance authors at this point. She manages to do it even in her historicals but it does not read quite as plausibly there. She does not manage to intersect the mores of the period society she is setting her stories in, with the conflicts that the characters encounter.
What I mean by this is, her heroines in particular are just completely out of place in Regency England. There are improper, bold, immodest unless it suits their ends... the list goes on. This is explained away because in every case they are ruined by some extenuating circumstances that free them from the truly oppressive societal restrictions that young unmarried ladies really did live with during those times. When I read one of her books, I was willing to buy it and suspend my disbelief... the second was my favorite so I let it slide again... but with this one I am just seeing a pattern. I think I'll stop with her historicals while I am ahead - no doubt after a little to forget my own silly little irks with this, I would enjoy picking one up again.
There is always alot to enjoy. This one is not so different - Alex is a ruined young woman, living outside polite society as the manager of her brother, the Duke's country estate. Collin is a Scottish lord who seeks retribution against her for wronging his brother, ultimately playing a part in his brother's death. But she is really an innocent and of course he falls for her. It was an interesting read because they get married about halfway through and you think... "hmm, what next?"... but then you are treated to all the baggage they have to work through to really have a marriage. I enjoyed that, but it wasn't earth-shaking for me.
I think I prefer Dahl's contemporary romances because the characters, as empowered contemporary people living in a free society, can act outrageously and it's not such a stretch. In these historicals, it seems the plot is constantly relying on some girl to flee out into the dead of winter on her horse or something otherwise just as implausible. (less)
Yikes, do NOT read this free novella on Roxanne St Claire's website... unless you plan to immediately follow up by reading Edge of Sight , the novel i...moreYikes, do NOT read this free novella on Roxanne St Claire's website... unless you plan to immediately follow up by reading Edge of Sight , the novel it's a prequel to. Great little story, just really well-written and I enjoyed the snappy dialogue. Gotta know what happens to these two!(less)
Oh, this was kind of MEH for me. I did think it was well-written and the suspense element was great. She really knew when/how to ratchet up the tensio...moreOh, this was kind of MEH for me. I did think it was well-written and the suspense element was great. She really knew when/how to ratchet up the tension and keep you biting your nails. What it was lacking for me was a real urgency in the romantic connection. I found the short e-book prequel that is available for free on her website so intriguing and it was loaded with hawt romance! But this one... I just kind of felt like Sam was a big old pushover. She was hurt by what Zach did by leaving her, so she vented in a very, um, girly kind of way to everyone she knew apparently. And then when he came back all he did was look at her and she was falling all over herself for him. Don't get me wrong, I wanted her to fall, but I wanted him to suffer a little more for it. I think she was lacking in pride. That is a hard one for me to get over, as I find it pretty hard to identify with women lacking in that feature. ;) Not sure if I will continue these.(less)
Quick little read. Surprisingly enjoyable for romance short stories... not always the most gripping reads. Of course I liked the Leslie Kelly story th...moreQuick little read. Surprisingly enjoyable for romance short stories... not always the most gripping reads. Of course I liked the Leslie Kelly story the best!(less)
While an enjoyable romance in some ways, this was just OK for me. The premise was interesting. The characters had promise at the outset. But then, I f...moreWhile an enjoyable romance in some ways, this was just OK for me. The premise was interesting. The characters had promise at the outset. But then, I failed to connect with them or be very engaged by their story because, as some other reviewers have said, I found the language at times too... technical. I understand that the explicit talk is part of the loveplay for these characters, and maybe they didn't have enough handy euphemisms to go around. But all the technically accurate and explicit sex talk and descriptions left me a little nonplussed.
The other thing that caused me to enjoy this book a little less than other period romances, is the horridly evil and disgusting behavior of Elizabeth's mother, husband, and father. They are not even like humans, they are so terribly unfeeling. We are granted no insight into their thoughts or feelings.... it's a bleak depiction of humanity that implies that in one person's life, there could be so many people bent on destroying innocence and goodness, for no really good reason at all. For me, this was like an overblown villainy (involving child abuse) that was unwarranted. The story could have had just as much impact for the two leads, without all that disgusting (unrealistic) crap as a foil. Just my opinion...(less)
This was utterly enjoyable! I'd heard good things and I was not disappointed. It's set in Victorian England, and features the Lady Julia Grey, whose y...moreThis was utterly enjoyable! I'd heard good things and I was not disappointed. It's set in Victorian England, and features the Lady Julia Grey, whose young, infirm husband has died precipitously. A mysterious and distasteful (or doth the lady protest too much?) man suggests foul play and a mystery ensues, ultimately throwing Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane (the aforementioned mysterious man) together and threatening Lady Julia's life in the process.
This book is many things. It's a mystery, it's a romance, it's a wonderful period piece. It's a winner because it does all of these things really well. The real jewel in the crown is Lady Julia herself. She's just discovering her own identity after her difficult marriage. We're discovering her delightful personality and quirky inclinations along with her. The romantic tension with Brisbane is thick and delicious. It's not really resolved in this installment, we have to tune in to volume two to find out what happens between the two. Believe me, I will be tuning in!
The one reason I have allotted 4 instead of 5 stars, is I did not feel the plot was all that original or interesting. I anticipated the guilty party's identity from very early on in the book. I still think it was well done and as a device for advancing Julia's character, it worked, but it was not brilliant in and of itself. Perhaps as I grow to love the characters even more this will be less of an issue for me. Can't get the next book quickly enough!(less)
This whole book was just delicious! The anticipation after book 1, the bit of Italy we get in the beginning as Julia is ending her vacation, the draft...moreThis whole book was just delicious! The anticipation after book 1, the bit of Italy we get in the beginning as Julia is ending her vacation, the drafty old English abbey with its cast of potential murderers, and of course the will-they / won't they of Julia and Brisbane's wonderful interplay. I loved everything about it. Period novels sometimes shoot for authenticity by dragging on and on describing the landscapes, peoples' clothing, etc, etc - this book does not do that! I was actually struck a couple of times by the fact that I did not skim anything, nothing at all - extremely unusual for me with any book. It's incredibly well put together. Each character has depth and something interesting going on - even the "villains"... although one of the strong suits of the book is that you really can't tell who is a villain and who is a victim, until all is revealed.
The absolute highpoint is Lady Julia herself. She never disappoints. She is gutsy, though reserved, smart, flirtatious, crafty... even when she is embarassing herself I am never embarassed by her behavior. I just really like her. She is strong without emasculating her fellows. She is ethical without being rigid. The scene with her and Brisbane towards the end where she finally has had enough and tells him exactly how it's going to be - LOVED it. I have griped before about heroines in period novels having too modern tendencies - in this case, Julia is very modern, but Raybourn pulls it off because she gives her circumstances that make it believable.
I enjoyed the mystery in this one a little more than in the first book. It was more classic English countryside mystery - a secluded party at an old haunted Abbey, where the lady's jewels are even stolen. One other thing I like about Raybourn's style is that she follows a less is more approach in writing romantic scenes. There is a lot of description of loaded, intense (non-physical) moments - but when the characters engage in any kind of kissing... we get a sparse description that would lead you to think it's not much of a kiss... and then Julia steps back and looks at the shirt on the floor (which was not on the floor before she kissed him) and says something like "you'd better have the maid look at mending that - I'm sure the sleeve could be reattached." Ha!
I'd say this book gets 4.5 stars because I plan to read the others and I fully expect them to be even better. These characters are definitely growing on me!(less)
Another really great Lady Julia book! This one finds Julia traipsing off to the moor in search of Brisbane's mysterious new country estate, with her s...moreAnother really great Lady Julia book! This one finds Julia traipsing off to the moor in search of Brisbane's mysterious new country estate, with her sister Portia and brother Valerius in tow. Of course, Julia was not invited to Brisbane's new estate... but she doesn't really let that bother her! Upon arriving they discover a strange old manor and an even stranger family with whom Brisbane has an apparently rather sordid history. He's also pushing Julia away with one hand (while clinging to her with the other!); it's clear that the dark circumstances will require a certain inquisitive nature to ferret them out...
Cue Lady Julia! Here we have another mystery for her to unravel. Meanwhile exploring her feelings for Brisbane and about society/marriage in general. Of course there is danger afoot on the moor. All in all, it was an entertaining mystery and I enjoyed it, though slightly less than the last book, which was just a romp. I did suspect the outcome of the mystery regarding the Allenbys, but enjoyed Julia's investigative activities nonetheless. Once again Raybourn has given us blurred lines between heroes and villains, and allows the reader - through Julia - to sympathize with everyone in the book and see their own motives so clearly. Julia herself continues to be someone I really like and admire.
It was gratifying to get more insight into Brisbane's background and character. And appropriately at this point in their relationship, we see him at his most unguarded yet. I was pretty cross towards the end of the book when society and circumstance was going to keep Julia and Brisbane apart - yet again - but Raybourn turned it around in one fell swoop and gave me what I was looking for. I felt it was time. If she had kept them apart much longer, the anticipation would have grown stale. I guess it's kind of a spoiler but then if you look at the cheesy cover you can guess there is a romance in here and it probably ends happily. :)
I look forward to reading about more exploits for Julia and Brisbane - I'm interested to see how their strong personalities will mesh as they become partners in life and business. With strong characters such as these, I think Raybourn can get a lot more mileage out of the series - if it continues to be as strong and balances the need for a completed plot arc in each story, with character growth over the multiple books. (less)
This book was a riot! It was completely implausible, with a wacky premise and outrageous characters, but totally enjoyable and a real hoot! the idea i...moreThis book was a riot! It was completely implausible, with a wacky premise and outrageous characters, but totally enjoyable and a real hoot! the idea is that a divorced ornithologist goes for a massage and imagines herself in pride and prejudice. She has quite an interlude with none other than Mr. Darcy! And when she returns from her "dream" finds that the book changed. She enlists a literary scholar to help her get it fixed and they go back together into the book. Along with her jackass ex-husband and his floozy girlfriend. The book is preposterous and maybe even offensive for some, but I loved it. The word "romp" comes to mind. This author is doing some good romance but clearly has a great imaginative approach! I plan to look into more of her books!(less)
This is at 3.5 stars for me. I really enjoyed the Kinsmen world it was set in, as always with Ilona Andrews' work, the worldbuilding is just awesome....moreThis is at 3.5 stars for me. I really enjoyed the Kinsmen world it was set in, as always with Ilona Andrews' work, the worldbuilding is just awesome. There was previously another short novel in this world, but I liked this one better. I think because the main character, Claire, is an outsider discovering this beautiful and dangerous world. She is also a strong, competent woman. The romance in this book was a little sparse for me, but still satisfying. I am coming to realize that although I am a huge fan of the Kate + Curran romance in the Kate Daniels novels, it's not because Ilona Andrews excels at writing romance. It's because they (Ilona and Gordon) excel at writing characters, and those are two of their best. So this novel was awfully short for me to love the characters quite as much as I wanted to. But still, a really solid book and I would be interested in reading more in this Kinsmen world. I especially enjoyed the sci-fi element in this world: interplanetary colonization - with a backstory!, genetic and physical modifications, "the bionet" - a fascinating, living computer which the "psycher" humans can enter with their minds. This sci-fi twist is not something they have included in their other work, but they really do it well. I am intrigued!(less)
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