Vanessa’s Comments (group member since Jun 15, 2017)

Vanessa’s comments from the Read, Reading, Planning to Read and More group.

Just read the Wicked Scribes post, Doug's review of Wild Country is featured.

Cathy wrote: "Specific, but random question. Did anyone receive Ilona Andrews' newsletter? It has the blurb for Catalina's book, Sapphire Flames. It talks about how she's the Head of the House. Why isn't Nevada ..."

Cathy... I'm not sure, but I think that Catalina is also the head of her Grandmother's line, and because she is classified with an unique prime designation then she is the "head" of the line. I believe that because Nevada married Rogan then she automatically becomes part of the House of Rogan. Catalina is a prime so the family is automatically under her. She has also been tutored by Rogan's Mom on all things prime/house.

Melindeeloo... I happen to agree with you to some extent. Hunter's characters seem to be able to get away with their unique brand of retribution. I do happen to love Nell's character, and Occam is such a great mate for her. I loved what he said, that he isn't afraid to clear the air as soon as possible, and allows her to do her thing while having her back. I usually have a hard time reading anything else after one of her novels. (view spoiler)[I think that Rick has a potential mate in Margot. What do you think about what FireWind called her, "yinehi" and was a tad bit leery of her? (hide spoiler)] I think that Nell is proving to all that she is a force to be reckoned with. I like that Hunter writes her with a logical thought process, and yet an innocence. Because these take place in a matter of days, I could read 10 more of these books with no problem.

I went back to my ARC of Boundary Broken.

On audio I am attempting to catch up on series that I have been neglecting. I am listening to The Duke. This is a weird situation, where the h working as a barmaid was forced to sleep with the H. Her boss demanded it and the H had paid a sizable sum for her. The h was working to pay off her dead Father's debt to this man, and the sum paid was more than she could make in a year. To be fair, the H had no idea that she wasn't a "regular" employee, was a virgin, and he just liked her. I like catching up on the previous couples.

On audio I listened to one of the Audible Originals, Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets. I found it very interesting and it did not read like a textbook.
I listened to a quickie contemporary book, Lucky Suit It was a sweet little novella.

I read the first book in a pre-Victorian era series about a family of code breakers and spies, it is set in England during the Napoleonic wars. A Code Of Love. In this novel, the H is smitten with the h, and she still thinks that he is the rake he was 4 years before. In the background is the slow process of indoctrinating women into the royal espionage corps.

Victoria... Thanks for the plagiarism list. That's more than I ever realized.

Lab... Thanks for the Jeaniene Frost post. I would much prefer that an author try to give their best rather than some hasty drivel.

HappyBookWorm2020 wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "BookBub's Blog has a list of readers choice of "book boyfriends".

https://www.bookbub.com/blog/2019/02/..."

Hmmm, I see Mr. Rochester differently no..."

HBW... I agree, I don't like Rochester, never really did.

BookBub's Blog has a list of readers choice of "book boyfriends".

https://www.bookbub.com/blog/2019/02/...

TINNGG... I have a great waffle house story. We were traveling and my husband didn't want to go to the opposite side of the highway to go to the C.B., which he knows that I love for breakfast. It was almost 6:00a.m. and there were a grand total of 2 tables with guests at them. There was also a gaggle of employees smoking outside. It took them forever to both take our order and to deliver it. (I'm guessing that there was a shift change occurring), When I got my order... you guessed it, I had cigarette ashes on my plate. Not just a few flakes an actual "roll" of ash. Now when my husband wants to tease me about breakfast, he just says "Waffle House?" Then I slug him, LOL!! :-)

HappyBookWorm... I loved Kleypas' Wallflowers, I listened to those on audio. I am happy to hear that the next generation's books are just as good. (My favorite will always be Evie and Sebastion's novel). I'm putting that on my wish list to remind myself to get it after I stop perusing the Romance Package freebies.

If you think that Nora Roberts had a story try Courtney Milan's blog.

http://www.courtneymilan.com/rambling...

She's got a ton of word for word and circumstance for circumstance comparisons/plagiarisms. I love this closing statement-- (I quote)---

"But you know what? Cristiane Serruya has to be the biggest idiot out there. I’ve sold several hundred thousand copies of this book. I’ve given away several hundred thousand copies on top of that. Does she think that readers are never going to notice her blatant plagiarism?"

"And then there’s the fact that it’s me. Look, I’m not special in any other way and I don’t want to toot my own horn to much, but if I were an unethical plagiarist and I was looking to plagiarize a romance author, I would pick literally anyone except the one who clerked for the Supreme Court, taught intellectual property as a law professor, and doesn’t back down from a fight."

"You follow me on Twitter, Cristiane. How stupid can you get?"
I love her. :-)

Douglas wrote: "I read Nora Roberts letter about plagiarizing and I never knew she was such a badass LOL Don't copy her HER work!"
Yes, she sounds like she means business, and is willing to back up others who have been plagiarized too.
I love her last line-- (I quote)

"Here’s a warning for anyone who’s stolen any of my work and claimed it as his/her own. I’m coming for you."
Nora

Has anyone read anything by Jacki Delecki? A Code Of Love This is supposed to be an historical romance set against the backdrop of Code breaking in the Napoleonic era in England.

Vinity... I agree with LAB. I liked the storyline, it was as outlandish as I imagined. I just felt like the ending was a little off. Most of the reoccurring characters survived, and I was grateful for that. It does appear that the next generation will have a great cast of characters. Per usual, there were a couple of weird side trips that I don't think were really all that necessary, but if you read these you know that is common to this series. After taking so long to get there, a lot of the characters got their wrap ups rather quickly. It was an enjoyable read and ending and I hope to see Osh and Beep's series soon. Also, I listen to these on audio, and can't imagine reading the books with as much enthusiasm as I have listening to them.

Victoria... Thanks for the plagiarism info. I used to read just about everything Nora Roberts wrote. It really does seem like she is going in "guns a blazin" for this case. Good! I couldn't write a novel if I wanted to, but no normal person thinks that stealing anothers' hard work is allowed.

LAB... Thanks for the info about Clare. I am enjoying her MacKinnon brothers series especially because it is about Scots in America. I might try something else that she has written. I might have to wait a while though, it seems that I can't stop one clicking audio books on the Romance package lists.

I finished Untamed I liked it a lot but did not love it. I felt like it dragged on a bit too much for me. I will start the third book, Defiant next.

Waverly... Maybe cutting the cord on cable isn't the way to go, personally I think that I should give up on work, yes that's the solution! LOL!! Thanks for the recs.

For the audiophiles, some of Kerrigan Byrne's Victorian Rebels series is currently on the Romance Package. I have been buying these, but when I went to look up the latest, The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, I saw that the previous books were on the Romance Package. Free is always a good way to start or catch up on a very well written series.

On audio, I have been listening to the MacKinnon's Rangers series, Surrender, and Untamed also free on the Romance Package. While the series is about a trio of MacKinnon brothers, these are set during the French and Indian wars. Falsely charged with a murder, the MacKinnon brothers are conscripted to serve the British against the French and their Indian allies in upper state New York and in Canada. Scottish by birth and Catholic, serving the British King goes against everything they stand for. These books also entail the fight for Fort Ticonderoga (Carillon). They are a bit smexy, but not too overly extreme. The h's while young, aren't too apt to do something TSTL, which is a change from some historicals.

I've been listening to a series of "mysteries" involving one couple that I think are clever and captivating. I finished the third book, A Rather Charming Invitation. They all revolve around Penny and Jeremy, and usually entail a cast of family members and friends who are either the problem or a help with the solution. The author C.A. Belmond is very detail oriented and after she describes their meals I think that I could reproduce them, LOL! These are light, set in London, Nice, and various other locations, I just want to join them on "holiday". There are 4 books in the series but alas, only the first 3 are on audio. These novels are free with the Romance Package on Audible.

The 14th Jane Yellowrock book is up for pre-order. Shattered Bonds.

https://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Bond...

ETA... The book will be out October 29th.

Also, Julia Quinn's Bridgerton's series has been opted by Netflix. Shonda Rhimes, (Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to get Away With Murder), has been lured away from ABC to Netflix and will be working on the period series. No info yet.

Doug... As you know Lawrence is notorious for a long build up in his series, especially for the finale. Good luck, I hope that you sleep soon, but on the other hand, you are retired. ;-}

I think that Doug mentioned this book, if not someone here did. Kill the Farm Boy is on sale (kindle), for #2.99. This is a joint effort by Delilah Dawson and Kevin Hearne.

Doug... When I read my previous posting I think that it sounded like I liked the Red Queen's war more than I did. I think that the Book of the Ancestor is a better series, though he does have interesting stories.

Kristi... I like the Scarlett Bernard books, I didn't mind the first book, but some folks didn't like it. There are also a few shorts that tell some of the other characters' stories, so don't miss them. Dead Spots is the intro into their world.

Monadh wrote: "Kristi (foxtail_too) wrote: "Monadh, it shows up at $9.99 on US Amazon for me too. "

Just checking; sometimes I get different prices here in Switzerland than in the US (although I shop thru AMZN U..."

Monadh... I wonder if we post the link that we here in the US get when we click on a bookbub title, if it would bring up the cheaper price for you. I check out Bookbub almost daily, we could try it. Let us know and we'll try it for you.

Melindeeloo... I'm so glad you mentioned Boundary Broken. I luckily received and ARC too! I forgot that I requested it, and there it was.

On audio I have been listening to the "A Rather..." series. It is witty, clever, free on the Romance package on Audible, and a lot of fun.

Doug... I hope that Holy Sister is all that I have built it up to be for the trilogy finale. Still jealous!! ;-)

Lulu... I didn't get the Lena/Adele connection at first either. Then she was visiting her, and then the mention of the hemlock rings and I finally put it together in my mind.

TINNGG.... I don't know the events in the series that you were writing about, but I do love your "Treacherous Body Syndrome" name. Good one!! :-)

Douglas wrote: "WOW, finished Red Sister Mark Lawrence writes compelling and addictive tales that are twisted and gruesome at times but you can't help but admire the talent. His second series about..."

Doug... I love the Book of the Ancestor series. I agree about the Red Queen series, it was very good. When Lawrence is "on" he is an excellent author. I listen to these and the narrator, Heather O'Neill does a great job. Holy Sister is one of my most anticipated books of this year. His writing is dark and some here won't like it, but this is an an excellent trilogy and the last book will be out April 9th.

Vinity... Sorry we couldn't connect, I had relatives meeting me @ my Grandmother's house nearly every night. Next time!!

I finished Dukes Are Forever. I thought that she did a good job wrapping up the series. I loved the h, Adele, and we finally see someone who can give Malloryn his due. I loved the banter/war between the MC's. I liked, not loved, the ending and I hope that there is a lot in the much anticipated 2nd epilogue. (It will be released some time soon, just sign up for her newsletter).

I have been listening to a contemporary series set in London, and Nice, France. It's A Rather Lovely Inheritance which is by C A Belmond who is a new to me author. The h, Penny Nichols is asked by her parents to attend the reading of the will of her never married great aunt, Penelope, (her namesake). Once there, she finds that she has inherited too, along with her cousin Jeremy, and her Mother's cousin "Rollo". Rivalry and contesting of the will ensue and so does a romance. The descriptions are spot on, and the dialogue is witty and poignant. Overall I would give this series opener 4*'s. I liked it so much that I have started the second book, A Rather Curious Engagement. These are free with the Audible Romance package.

I'm stuck in N.C. so I'm watching some "prime" shows and reading Malloryn's story. I leave tomorrow morning, hubby says it's snowing like crazy @ home. They were originally going to give me a 7:15 p.m. flight, but I changed it to the a.m. flight. Judging by the lack of flights, I suspect that will be cancelled too.

I didn't read the follow up books either. Perhaps I should add those to the TBR list. Let me know if you get a chance to read them, and what you think.