Andrea Murray's Blog: Author of the Vivid Trilogy and Omni, page 12
January 2, 2014
Review of To Tempt a Viking by Michelle Willingham
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.I must admit that Viking romances are one of my guilty pleasures. I think if most women are honest they would admit there is something romantic about being swept away by an honorable warrior, hell bent on protecting their honor, and a bit too wild to tame. I realize this is most assuredly not the most PC comment I could make, but come on! The braided hair, the rock-hard muscles, the long broadsword (cough, cough—pun intended), and this novel didn’t disappoint in that area.
In a setting as harsh as the Norsemen themselves, Ragnar and Elena must survive, relying only on each other. This life-or-death struggle throws them together until they can no longer ignore what’s always been between them. It’s the formula as comfortable to seasoned romance readers as a snuggly blanket, and the scenes become fantastically steamy.
The action moves quickly; however, that’s both a plus and a minus. It doesn’t drag, and it’s a quick, relaxing read without too many side plots, but at times I felt lost. This is the second in a series, and I needed a little more backstory. I felt as though I had started reading in the middle of the novel. There were a few flashback scenes, the first of which would have been much better as a prologue. It would have gone a long way to that whole backstory issue.
Overall, if you enjoy a good ole “warrior wants girl, warrior takes girl, girl can’t help herself” story, you’ll like this one.
3.5 stars
December 28, 2013
Review of Mercy Snow by Tiffany Baker
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Titan Falls is a town worthy of a Stephen King novel but without the extreme creepiness. The town, and more importantly the Androscoggin River, become characters in and of themselves. In a place where the air and water are as poisonous as the attitudes, Mercy Snow and her family become embroiled in a secret wrapped in a mystery. The close-minded, close-lipped nature of the townspeople was very realistic as was the “hide your dirty laundry” beliefs of most of the characters. In a place where loyalty is often replaced by self-preservation, the deception runs as deep and pollutes as completely as the river itself. The semi-religious allusions gave the novel a darkness that permeated the characters as well. The writing was beautiful although a bit overdone at times, and I became buried in figurative language. In fact, the novel seemed to drag some, and I found myself wanting to just get on with the storyline in the middle.
June was an interesting character; however, her martyr attitude became draining and frustrating. Her need to be the town paragon made her insipid to me, and while I enjoy omniscient POV most of the time, the switching narration was a bit confusing in the beginning as were the flashbacks. At one point, there was a flashback within a flashback, and I found myself wishing for a more linear progression. However, this novel is smart and slightly dark with a driving need that matches that of the characters and will keep you reading.
3.5 stars
Titan Falls is a town worthy of a Stephen King novel but without the extreme creepiness. The town, and more importantly the Androscoggin River, become characters in and of themselves. In a place where the air and water are as poisonous as the attitudes, Mercy Snow and her family become embroiled in a secret wrapped in a mystery. The close-minded, close-lipped nature of the townspeople was very realistic as was the “hide your dirty laundry” beliefs of most of the characters. In a place where loyalty is often replaced by self-preservation, the deception runs as deep and pollutes as completely as the river itself. The semi-religious allusions gave the novel a darkness that permeated the characters as well. The writing was beautiful although a bit overdone at times, and I became buried in figurative language. In fact, the novel seemed to drag some, and I found myself wanting to just get on with the storyline in the middle.
June was an interesting character; however, her martyr attitude became draining and frustrating. Her need to be the town paragon made her insipid to me, and while I enjoy omniscient POV most of the time, the switching narration was a bit confusing in the beginning as were the flashbacks. At one point, there was a flashback within a flashback, and I found myself wishing for a more linear progression. However, this novel is smart and slightly dark with a driving need that matches that of the characters and will keep you reading.
3.5 stars
December 15, 2013
Review of The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
High School is hell. Never has this statement been truer than in this novel. The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant has all the stereotypes found in most YA novels, but with a tremendous twist. This isn’t, however, a “clueless” twist, which leaves you feeling cheated and frustrated. Clever readers will discover Cania Christy’s secret through the abundant but shrewd foreshadowing, making me glad I was an English major and able to recognize all those hints. In fact, I wondered if the average young adult would pick up on them all. However, most assuredly I wouldn't do anything to "dumb down" this novel. It was smart, creepy, and, at times, just snarky enough to justify a good smirk. The figurative language was wonderful, and the imagery had me shaking right along with Anne. The suspense surrounding Cania kept me completely enthralled.
There were some cringe-worthy parts, though. The whole dance off scene was a little too corny. I just don't buy that Anne's character would cut a rug, boxing-ring style, and Ben's character agitated me greatly. I realize he couldn't really open up to Anne due the secret Anne eventually discovers, but I kind of wanted to fling his vial into the sea myself. I had a difficult, mostly impossible, time liking him. He seemed incomplete somehow. I wanted so much more from the leading man. However, since this is only the first in the trilogy, I have a feeling Ben's character will fill out in later novels. Some suggestive scenes and language kept the novel steamy, but it also earns a cautionary note for younger readers.
This one is definitely worth checking out!
4.25 stars
High School is hell. Never has this statement been truer than in this novel. The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant has all the stereotypes found in most YA novels, but with a tremendous twist. This isn’t, however, a “clueless” twist, which leaves you feeling cheated and frustrated. Clever readers will discover Cania Christy’s secret through the abundant but shrewd foreshadowing, making me glad I was an English major and able to recognize all those hints. In fact, I wondered if the average young adult would pick up on them all. However, most assuredly I wouldn't do anything to "dumb down" this novel. It was smart, creepy, and, at times, just snarky enough to justify a good smirk. The figurative language was wonderful, and the imagery had me shaking right along with Anne. The suspense surrounding Cania kept me completely enthralled.
There were some cringe-worthy parts, though. The whole dance off scene was a little too corny. I just don't buy that Anne's character would cut a rug, boxing-ring style, and Ben's character agitated me greatly. I realize he couldn't really open up to Anne due the secret Anne eventually discovers, but I kind of wanted to fling his vial into the sea myself. I had a difficult, mostly impossible, time liking him. He seemed incomplete somehow. I wanted so much more from the leading man. However, since this is only the first in the trilogy, I have a feeling Ben's character will fill out in later novels. Some suggestive scenes and language kept the novel steamy, but it also earns a cautionary note for younger readers.
This one is definitely worth checking out!
4.25 stars
December 12, 2013
December 4, 2013
Review of A Wicked Pursuit
A Wicked Pursuit: A Breconridge Brothers Novel
Isabella Bradford
Series: Breconridge Brothers
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 25, 2014)
The Review:
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I truly love a good historical romance, and this time period (along with a couple of others) is one of my favorites. While I’m no historical expert, I’ve read enough to recognize an author with sufficient historical knowledge to make the setting believable. From the outlandish hair plumes to the impossibly-complicated hoop dresses, I could see the setting of this novel as clearly as if I were there. Bradford obviously knows her Georgian fashion and rules of societal behavior. However, I’m afraid the “wickedness” in Harry’s pursuit of Gus was a little lackluster.
For the majority of the time, the novel’s setting is isolated to Gus’s home in Norfolk, which has the potential for scandalous spice--naive, young girl, worldly, titled man alone (with the exception of the servants) in a remote setting. It was ripe for enough steam to fog the screen of my Kindle, but Harry’s injury dominates their time, and so it would in reality, but we don’t really read romance novels for reality, now do we?
The typical romantic chase was absent from this one because Harry is so confined. There was no true competition for Gus once her sister abandons the scene. I like that “I’m forsaking the world and running back to you” moment, and it was absent from this one. Because so much of the plot revolves around Harry’s leg, it was lacking that heartsick angst. The almost instantaneous love between Gus and Harry, while touching, was a bit overdone for my taste. I will say Bradford doesn’t overwhelm the reader with too many characters, too fast, but I would have liked to have seen Harry’s brothers since this novel appears to be the first in a series about those brothers.
3 stars
Isabella Bradford
Series: Breconridge Brothers
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (February 25, 2014)
The Review:
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I truly love a good historical romance, and this time period (along with a couple of others) is one of my favorites. While I’m no historical expert, I’ve read enough to recognize an author with sufficient historical knowledge to make the setting believable. From the outlandish hair plumes to the impossibly-complicated hoop dresses, I could see the setting of this novel as clearly as if I were there. Bradford obviously knows her Georgian fashion and rules of societal behavior. However, I’m afraid the “wickedness” in Harry’s pursuit of Gus was a little lackluster.
For the majority of the time, the novel’s setting is isolated to Gus’s home in Norfolk, which has the potential for scandalous spice--naive, young girl, worldly, titled man alone (with the exception of the servants) in a remote setting. It was ripe for enough steam to fog the screen of my Kindle, but Harry’s injury dominates their time, and so it would in reality, but we don’t really read romance novels for reality, now do we?
The typical romantic chase was absent from this one because Harry is so confined. There was no true competition for Gus once her sister abandons the scene. I like that “I’m forsaking the world and running back to you” moment, and it was absent from this one. Because so much of the plot revolves around Harry’s leg, it was lacking that heartsick angst. The almost instantaneous love between Gus and Harry, while touching, was a bit overdone for my taste. I will say Bradford doesn’t overwhelm the reader with too many characters, too fast, but I would have liked to have seen Harry’s brothers since this novel appears to be the first in a series about those brothers.
3 stars
December 2, 2013
November 25, 2013
Review of City Center
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Take a splash of Hunger Games and a pinch of Elizabethan England and mix it in a technologically-advanced society, and you’ll have an interesting recipe for a YA/NA dystopian. The societal set up was complex but intriguing. Set three hundred years in the future, this novel shows some very real, very frightening possibilities for America’s future. It truly isn’t difficult it to imagine DNA modifications, mood modifiers pumped into public facilities, and governmental monitoring even in private homes, and let’s face it, most people already believe the powerful elite control everything from elected officials to media streaming. So, at times, I felt a chill at seeing a glimpse of a conceivable 24th century LA. However, it was difficult to get past the similarities between what has quickly become a mainstay in dystopian fiction. The pageantry of the City Center citizens, the outrageous beautification procedures, the populace vote in a competition (though not for life or death), the handlers of the candidates—all of these have that formulaic feel which Katniss fans will see immediately.
I also had some problems with Ava’s character. Sometimes, she seems strong and intelligent, like when she recues Joseph from execution or when she escapes David’s nefarious clutches, but at other times, she’s weak, easily malleable, like whenever James yells at her. She relies on others to take care of her, too, literally slipping in and out of consciousness multiple times in the novel in situations requiring her full attention and mobility. This combat-trained girl, semi-devoid of human emotion can’t seem to stay awake when her life depends on it, and at the moment she builds a fire, caveman style, I began to lose interest.
The novel’s crescendo coup d'état was just too easy and borderline cheesy, explaining everything away in half of a chapter. The end also becomes didactic with a great deal of social commentary at the expense of the plot.
Great beginning but a bit rushed at the end
3 stars
Take a splash of Hunger Games and a pinch of Elizabethan England and mix it in a technologically-advanced society, and you’ll have an interesting recipe for a YA/NA dystopian. The societal set up was complex but intriguing. Set three hundred years in the future, this novel shows some very real, very frightening possibilities for America’s future. It truly isn’t difficult it to imagine DNA modifications, mood modifiers pumped into public facilities, and governmental monitoring even in private homes, and let’s face it, most people already believe the powerful elite control everything from elected officials to media streaming. So, at times, I felt a chill at seeing a glimpse of a conceivable 24th century LA. However, it was difficult to get past the similarities between what has quickly become a mainstay in dystopian fiction. The pageantry of the City Center citizens, the outrageous beautification procedures, the populace vote in a competition (though not for life or death), the handlers of the candidates—all of these have that formulaic feel which Katniss fans will see immediately.
I also had some problems with Ava’s character. Sometimes, she seems strong and intelligent, like when she recues Joseph from execution or when she escapes David’s nefarious clutches, but at other times, she’s weak, easily malleable, like whenever James yells at her. She relies on others to take care of her, too, literally slipping in and out of consciousness multiple times in the novel in situations requiring her full attention and mobility. This combat-trained girl, semi-devoid of human emotion can’t seem to stay awake when her life depends on it, and at the moment she builds a fire, caveman style, I began to lose interest.
The novel’s crescendo coup d'état was just too easy and borderline cheesy, explaining everything away in half of a chapter. The end also becomes didactic with a great deal of social commentary at the expense of the plot.
Great beginning but a bit rushed at the end
3 stars
Review of Christmas Bliss
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first “Weezie and BeBe” experience. There are three other novels featuring these two characters; perhaps if I had that series connection, I would have enjoyed this novel more, but as a stand-alone, this one just didn’t hold my interest. I kind of felt like I needed Rudolph to help me find that little something to keep me reading.
In the beginning, I figured the suspense might come in the form of a cheating fiancé. When Weezie spots a tabloid photo of her husband-to-be draped by his glamorous boss at New York event in his honor, she drops everything and whisks away to the Big Apple. At that point, I thought (hoped) that she might find a conniving, big city woman wooing her man. Alas, not so. For the majority of the novel, we simply follow her solitary forays into the city, including her cheesy run in with a bearded man dressed head to toe in red and wearing black boots.
BeBe had a bit more drama when she discovered her divorce from her horrible former husband was never filed. However, that storyline ended quickly, leaving only the mystery of her child’s birth, which also seemed a bit cliché. A Christmas baby? How many movies feature that same event?
I will say the novel is well-written if not somewhat overwhelming with the descriptions of antiques, scenery, and designers, but sadly, I simply couldn’t connect with the characters. I’m afraid my only “bliss” came from finishing it.
2.5 stars
This is my first “Weezie and BeBe” experience. There are three other novels featuring these two characters; perhaps if I had that series connection, I would have enjoyed this novel more, but as a stand-alone, this one just didn’t hold my interest. I kind of felt like I needed Rudolph to help me find that little something to keep me reading.
In the beginning, I figured the suspense might come in the form of a cheating fiancé. When Weezie spots a tabloid photo of her husband-to-be draped by his glamorous boss at New York event in his honor, she drops everything and whisks away to the Big Apple. At that point, I thought (hoped) that she might find a conniving, big city woman wooing her man. Alas, not so. For the majority of the novel, we simply follow her solitary forays into the city, including her cheesy run in with a bearded man dressed head to toe in red and wearing black boots.
BeBe had a bit more drama when she discovered her divorce from her horrible former husband was never filed. However, that storyline ended quickly, leaving only the mystery of her child’s birth, which also seemed a bit cliché. A Christmas baby? How many movies feature that same event?
I will say the novel is well-written if not somewhat overwhelming with the descriptions of antiques, scenery, and designers, but sadly, I simply couldn’t connect with the characters. I’m afraid my only “bliss” came from finishing it.
2.5 stars
November 13, 2013
Review of Omni (my own;)
Omni by Andrea MurrayMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Okay, I don't actually plan on leaving a review--that's just weird--but I do want to talk about my motivation for writing Omni. I love mythology; we go WAY back. I've been a teacher since Zeus was a lad, and I have always enjoyed teaching/talking about Greek mythology. I don't get to really teach it much anymore with my current class assignments; however, my nephew (check out the dedication) inspired this novel. His love of mythology sprang from my own, and he gave me the idea for this novel though he doesn't realize it and would probably be embarrassed knowing I'm even posting this. Omni is based on the myth of Paris and Helen. The title and the idea for the society came from a classroom discussion a couple of years ago. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
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