Fever. By Joan Swan. A Review and a Torso.
Wrong place wrong time for a young doctor turns her life upside down.
Same could be said for the guy who kidnaps her thinking she's someone else.
Teague has had a tough go of his life. He's your typical Alpha of course. Perfectly formed, "drool-worthy" as we say. Rough around the edges, diamond in the rough, misunderstood and framed for a crime, all of that. And he has a "gift" or a "curse" that adds a dusting of paranormal to a story that, frankly, to my mind didn't need it.
Alyssa has a layered background, complex and complicated relationships with her family. And is one tough cookie determined to beat a fellow male doctor out for a prestigious spot on staff. Well, except when Teague touches her.
It's the set up for a fairly typical romance.
I know, I write them too.
However, what captures ME about a well-written story, be it romance, mainstream, mystery, whatever, is how the author uses the same words the rest of us do to world build, to draw you in, to make you give a rip about Yet Another Strong, Misunderstood Alpha Male and but one more Tough And Tender Hot Stuff Female. I want to have empathy for the characters, go way deep into their brains and feel what they feel. Even if it is anger, hate, lust, fear, or the ever elusive love. Using words seems easy. It's not. To be able to combine them in ways that make me keep turning pages is a daunting task anymore. I've gotten a lot pickier about the romance books I read. No cardboard characters please, or standard set-ups, or overused "push pull" scenarios. Give me something different. And make it flow, like music.
Ms. Swan did that for me. I will admit to having a little "Oh no this will never work" moment early on with all the racist stuff thrown around by Teague's fellow escapee. And I've read a few reviewers who have either been unable to get past it at all, or who recommend you muscle past the cringe-worthy epithets and ugly language. As I said, I read a lot of mainstream fiction too so it didn't bother me as a reader. I saw its importance and value to the story line. But I also know my audience and realize that many "traditional romance" readers (even those who, thanks to the industry including myself, expect seriously hot sex with their HEAs) will be rocked back by some of it.
For me, that's what made the book enjoyable. I like my "romance" to come with a tinge of "real." Which is why I'm awarding this book 4 Pints.
I stop short of five, mainly because I liked the story without the seemingly bow-to-the-market addition of paranormal. However, once that whole thing (they whys and wherefores of it are missing--in a very clever hint at the next book. I'm also a marketing professional so I get that) is fleshed out as it were, I'm sure it will become a lovely sub context for the series.
Ms. Swan is a very good writer and her future is bright. (but that cover could really have been more subtle--a better reflection of what lies within: Not Another Basic Romance Story. I liked my simple, red ARC cover better.)
Well Done and Many Sales to you Joan!
cheers
Liz
Same could be said for the guy who kidnaps her thinking she's someone else.
Teague has had a tough go of his life. He's your typical Alpha of course. Perfectly formed, "drool-worthy" as we say. Rough around the edges, diamond in the rough, misunderstood and framed for a crime, all of that. And he has a "gift" or a "curse" that adds a dusting of paranormal to a story that, frankly, to my mind didn't need it.
Alyssa has a layered background, complex and complicated relationships with her family. And is one tough cookie determined to beat a fellow male doctor out for a prestigious spot on staff. Well, except when Teague touches her.
It's the set up for a fairly typical romance.
I know, I write them too.
However, what captures ME about a well-written story, be it romance, mainstream, mystery, whatever, is how the author uses the same words the rest of us do to world build, to draw you in, to make you give a rip about Yet Another Strong, Misunderstood Alpha Male and but one more Tough And Tender Hot Stuff Female. I want to have empathy for the characters, go way deep into their brains and feel what they feel. Even if it is anger, hate, lust, fear, or the ever elusive love. Using words seems easy. It's not. To be able to combine them in ways that make me keep turning pages is a daunting task anymore. I've gotten a lot pickier about the romance books I read. No cardboard characters please, or standard set-ups, or overused "push pull" scenarios. Give me something different. And make it flow, like music.
Ms. Swan did that for me. I will admit to having a little "Oh no this will never work" moment early on with all the racist stuff thrown around by Teague's fellow escapee. And I've read a few reviewers who have either been unable to get past it at all, or who recommend you muscle past the cringe-worthy epithets and ugly language. As I said, I read a lot of mainstream fiction too so it didn't bother me as a reader. I saw its importance and value to the story line. But I also know my audience and realize that many "traditional romance" readers (even those who, thanks to the industry including myself, expect seriously hot sex with their HEAs) will be rocked back by some of it.
For me, that's what made the book enjoyable. I like my "romance" to come with a tinge of "real." Which is why I'm awarding this book 4 Pints.
I stop short of five, mainly because I liked the story without the seemingly bow-to-the-market addition of paranormal. However, once that whole thing (they whys and wherefores of it are missing--in a very clever hint at the next book. I'm also a marketing professional so I get that) is fleshed out as it were, I'm sure it will become a lovely sub context for the series.
Ms. Swan is a very good writer and her future is bright. (but that cover could really have been more subtle--a better reflection of what lies within: Not Another Basic Romance Story. I liked my simple, red ARC cover better.)
Well Done and Many Sales to you Joan!
cheers
Liz
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