I'm Reading~

[C., Group Creator]

So far it's good, mysterious.I always liked Gothics except for one thing,the age difference between the heroine and hero,ewwww,can't stand young ladies with old codgers,grosses me out!Can't stop thinking of the guy as a 'dirty old man',LOL!

I believe this one is more mystery than romance,so that will suit me.

[Sophie]

Yes I think it is more mystery and I don't think there is a massive age gap if my memory serves me rightly...

Glad you are enjoying it :)

[C., Group Creator]

So the old codger who picked her up in the carriage isn't the hero? I hope not.

[Sophie]

He does pick her up in the carriage ... But I didn't remember him being old... Are you thinking he is old because of the description of him/his face? Has it actually stated his age?

[C., Group Creator]

Yes, the description.I don't think it does mention his age,now that you ask.

[Sophie]

Yeah he isn't an 'older codger'. He looks older than he is due to .... Circumstances!
I don't like huge age gaps like you described either, like when the guy is old enough to be the girls father!

[C., Group Creator]

LOL,well maybe it won't bother me so much then when I get further into the story. Just finished cooking and eating,and don't see anything good scheduled on TV,so will be picking up my Kindle and getting back into the story in just a few minutes.

Hope you enjoy your evening reading more of Bluebells in the Mourning 'after studying'. :]

[Sophie]

How did it go then?

Oh. My. Word. I finished it last night! :O LOVED it! I will post my review when I have written it!

[Sophie]

http://laughingwithlizzie.blogspot.co...

My full review on my blog :)

[C., Group Creator]

Sorry to say that I thought 'Castle Of Secrets' was just ok 3/5 stars.I really got tired of reading the heroine's endless speculations about everyone she met,and the ending was just sooo silly,especially with the whip!

I think this evening I will start 'The Vines of Yarrabee' by Dorothy Eden.

Good to hear that you were totally pleased with your book. What is next for you?

BTW, I tried to answer earlier but this site was down for filling its capacity.I hope since Amazon bought goodreads that will be a thing of the past,soon.

[Sophie]

Aww well.

I really did enjoy the book as you may have guessed from my review! I am still deciding right now... I am planning on reading North and South soon but first I may read another pride and prejudice variation as I have a few others I want to read and after that one I want to read another! I think I shall read one by Kara Louise called Darcy's Voyage as although it is a what if story it is completely different as it is a what if Darcy and Lizzy met on a voyage to America (so not in Hertfordshire at all!)

Hope you enjoy your book! Yes, I hope that isn't an issue either. Although I also hope amazon don't change the site too much as i do like Goodreads as it is :)

[C., Group Creator]

Well since I'm new around here,I probably wouldn't know if Amazon changed it here,but I do like the way it is,now.

[C., Group Creator]

Well, Dorothy Eden did not work out for me.I'm afraid most of her books including 'The Vines of Yarrabee' have either very little or no info,but when it turned out to be hardcover with a dustjacket and synopsis of the two adulterous stories in this one,I learned that she is not an author of the type of books that I read.

So I need to make a run to the library this morning to pick up some reserves that have come in by Carla Kelly[MRS. DREW PLAYS HER HAND,& Marian's Christmas Wish].Have never read her before either,so I'm hoping her stories are clean!

[C., Group Creator]

Hey Soph,I think I just found another fun Regency we both would love~Brighton Road by Susan Carroll.
Sounds hilarious and it is claimed to be 'clean' also.
Check it out at Amazon.

My library has several of her books but not this one so rather than have to wait to get it from inter library loan,I ordered it.

[Sophie]

I will check it out. When you have read it let me know how it is :)

[C., Group Creator]

I surely will!

[C., Group Creator]

I received Brighton Road in the mail but haven't read it yet as I have too many books from the library to read first and I'm afraid I've been playing my Sims 1 lately after installing them on my newer laptop.

I have even neglected to finish The Rose Cottage by Mary Stewart, that is waiting,but I do intend to finish it today. :]

[Sophie]

Sims!!! Love that game!

[C., Group Creator]

My daughter in TN and I have had the original game and it's expansions since it came out in 2000,and played for years.Have installed it on different PCs through the years.Even got the Sims 2 but neither one of us like the marionette puppet appearance of the sims,the 3-D ,or the new game objectives with aging,so we both uninstalled it and never looked back.I was considering the Sims 3,but since 4 is about to be released I fear all the custom content will disappear like it did with Sims 1.

Anyway. I did finish The Rose Cottage and it's a very nice-light Gothic mystery,but no romance,and no edge of your seat suspense.
I plan to start tonight CURRANT CREEK VALLEY by RaeAnne Thayne ,a contemporary romance set at a ski resort.

[Sophie]

I know what you mean.

Oh interesting! Enjoy! I am currently reading North and South. Wouldn't put it on the book shelf due to the religious aspects but I am thoroughly enjoying it :)

[C., Group Creator]

It's so great when a book is so pleasing to read.I haven't read it. Didn't care for the film. Don't remember any religious aspects but thank you so much for taking that into consideration.

BTW, you must be thrilled to have exams over, now you can do all-nighters with your 'can't put down' books,LOL! ;)

[Sophie]

You didn't like the mini-series? :O oh I did. The book is more inspirational than the mini-series was.

I am so glad!! I will be doing all nighters, I can tell!!

[C., Group Creator]

I loved the story of North & South and all of the characters except I detested John Thornton[sorry to say] and never forgave him for his sadistic psycho attack on that mill worker and it was totally unbelievable for me that Margaret Hale would have ever forgiven him either after witnessing him kicking the man after he had fallen, because of the type of character she was,no way would she have ever been able to get over that and certainly would not have fallen for such a sick monster!So that part ruined for me what would have otherwise been another perfect British period drama,though none have ever topped 'Lark Rise To Candleford',for me.

I am almost finished already with CURRANT CREEK VALLEY,and enjoying it very much.It isn't actually set at a ski resort,but in a ski resort town,where the chef heroine is opening a restaurant and the wonderful hero Sam Delgado is the construction contractor doing her kitchen.Lots of sparks in the air and two unforgettable kisses so far.

[Sophie]

Well yes that was strange. But it doesn't happen in the book and I sort of see why he did it. He says later how he had witnessed a mill go up in flames a few months back with like 200 deaths being the result. So, smoking in the mill was putting them all at risk!! But maybe he was a little harsh, but deep down he has a good attitude towards his workers; a lot better than the other masters (as I said, it doesn't happen in the book)

Glad you are enjoying your story :) unforgettable kisses are the best! :)

[C., Group Creator]

You are right that is explained in the film,but I hate psychos so much and he was so violent that it just didn't redeem him for me,and the character of Margaret Hale was just so wonderful that I could not accept her overlooking that in him,LOL! You have made me curious about the book though and I now plan to add it to my TBR list.

You are so right about the best kisses,LOL! :]

[Sophie]

It doesn't happen in the book at all. I reckon you would like the Thornton of the book as he is .... Well different from the book and seems nicer in a way. Margaret's prejudice against him in the book is more annoying as the Thornton of the book is lovely! I find it hard when reading this book as I see the views from the workers point of view and agree and then hear Thornton's views and agree as well, really see where he is coming from (he is a fair master) but my opinion changes while I read it and I am unsure who I side with most. Thornton I think... Thornton currently where I am in the book!!

[C., Group Creator]

Oh my that really sounds intriguing!I just got it FREE for my Kindle! In case the formatting is terrible[sometimes the case with Kindle FREEBIES],which edition are you reading?

[Sophie]

On the kindle I am not sure I will check (I also have the vintage classics paperback) I will check and get back to you. So far the free edition on my kindle has been good. (I am reading it on kindle and paperback :) )
(Let me know how it is. More religion as I already said but it doesn't preach at you like some, more for emphasis of different religious views between hero and heroine)

I will get back to you re kindle edition :) the first one which comes up basically which is free in the kindle store I got :)

[C., Group Creator]

OK, that's good.What mean when I say a book is full of god-talk, is when the characters can hardly take a pee[if book characters ever took a pee,that is] without clearing it with God first! There is constant conversing with and about God,always saying He is in control and Trust Him and don't do a thing without checking with Him and seeking His will. That kind of writing I just can no longer take,and do not want to read.

I realize that a few decades ago the majority did attend church so it was a natural part of life and social circles.I have no problem at all with going to church being mentioned,and church functions/plays, ect.I just do not wish to read any book where God is a main character,LOL!I hope what I'm saying makes sense. :]

[Sophie]

Oh right I see, I see. No no, this is not what it is like in the book :) at all! :)

[C., Group Creator]

I started North And South last night but don't think I will be able to stick with it.

It just isn't grabbing me at all,and I can't stand the way they talk. I don't believe anyone ever spoke in those dumb backward sentences.I just made it to chapter 5 and I don't understand a thing I've read,and can't make heads or tails out of the reason WHY Margaret's father has to leave the church!

[Sophie]

:( that is a shame!! It does take a while to get going and it is very descriptive. I am loving it but I see why it isn't for everyone!

[C., Group Creator]

So what are you reading now? I just finished a hilarious romantic comedy 'This Matter Of Marriage' by Debbie Macomber,but it isn't 100% wholesome,has an occasional curse word D,B,H are all I remember and a couple heavy petting scenes plus her best friend's off screen two sexual episodes.

I am now reading a Novella 'Orchard Valley Brides,also by her,which has been totally clean so far.

I have just added
Seeking Persephone,Courting Miss
Lancaster,and Friends and Foes by Sarah Eden to my TBR list,after a friend that I recommended Edenbrooke to,noticed her books mentioned at the back of Edenbrooke and asked if I was familiar with her because her books sound good,also.As usual,especially with Regency Romance,however, I try to find those with humor,LOL!

BTW, my friend also was totally delighted with Edenbrooke:A Proper Romance. :]

[Sophie]

I am trying to decide what to read next. I can't decide!

I am glad she enjoyed Edenbrooke! I need to read some of those, they are on my list as well :)

[C., Group Creator]

I saw in a review that 'Courting Miss
Lancaster' is the sequel to 'Seeking Persephone',so you probably want to keep that in mind when you start reading her.

[Sophie]

Thanks :)

[C., Group Creator]

I read the Regency Brighton Road by Susan Carroll today,and loved it.It was a fun read that even has a crazy dog in it. :)

One thing....the D word is used quite frequently.

[Sophie]

I think i would enjoy that one! Rating 1-weak 5- strong

Humour-
Character-
Romance
Storyline -

? :)

[C., Group Creator]

It was a lot of fun,and sometimes I like the hero to be a Beta guy instead of an Alpha.

[Angela]

Just finished my first book by Melynda Beth Andrews, The Blue Devil. It was a fun Regency. Interesting to note that her newer titles have two versions- explicit or not. We'll see if I continue in to them or not.

[C., Group Creator]

Hi Angela,
My that certainly is different! i have been surprised by getting an earlier non Christian edition of an author's book,but never knew of one who deliberately writes the clean,and explicit version together, LOL!

Please keep us informed about her books.

I have been trying some of Debbie Macomber's books but they have not been clean enough to add to the bookshelves.

Right now I'm reading Lord Sayer's Ghost by Cindy Holbrook which is a fun Gothic Mystery and so far it is clean.

[C., Group Creator]

I read many different genres besides romance.Right now I am reading an Amish fiction that I borrowed for my Kindle. When I am finished I am going to start North And South by Elizabeth Gaskell which is highly recommended by a member of this group~Soph.

Can't say how Lord Sayer's Ghost was because I got so bored with it that I didn't finish it.Then I read some historical fiction.

[Sophie]

Enjoy North and South!! I loved the mini-series and then loved the book. It was a heavier classic I have read but well worth it! :)

[C., Group Creator]

Wow,I started it a week ago and haven't finished yet! It is extremely slow going,and I was not engaged at all for the first eight chapters! Far too much talk of religion and non interesting things,so I put it down and played computer games. I did a lot of skimming forward in those eight chapters so probably missed it,but never did discover why her father had to quit being a pastor.

Finally in chapter eight John Thornton makes his first appearance! I was only able to read to chapter 10 and my Kindle needed recharging last night!Will let you know probably tomorrow[I mostly read in the evenings] if I'm liking it better now. :]

[Sophie]

It gets going more when John makes an appearance. It is a slower, more detailed and heavier classic but give it a little time :)

He left because of 'a matter if conscience' basically no one really knows!!

[C., Group Creator]

Ok sorry to say but I just couldn't get into the story or any of the characters so I gave up.:(

Can't believe that I forgot that I tried to read it back in June and wasn't able to get into it. My 'old-timers' kickin in, lol!

Have you read anything else similar to your recommendation of ?

I totally loved that one. :]

[Sophie]

Similar to Edenbrooke.... Similar to Edenbrooke.... Edenbrooke was amazing with the humour, characters, stories etc it is hard to find another one so good. The most similar one I have read to Edenbrooke would probably be.... Miss Delacourt speaks her mind by Heidi Ashworth (there is a 2nd book, a Christmas short and a 3rd book as well) for the humour. Or maybe Duel of Hearts by Diane Farr. ? Or even possibly Engaging the Earl by Mandy Goff.
Any of those sound to your liking? (Would attach the book covers but on my iPod app so couldn't!)

I can't wait for Donaldson's next book in September!!

[C., Group Creator]

I know what you mean,I cannot wait for Donaldson's next book either!

No I'm afraid the synopsis of those titles don't really grab me,but thank you for trying.:)

I'm thinking of starting that I just got as a Kindle freebie yesterday.

Also since I really enjoyed "Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand" by Carla Kelly I want to reserve her 'Reforming Lord Ragsdale' at my library.

I can't believe my excellent library doesn't own a single copy of any book by Sarah Eden!

I just called them because I couldn't find any on their online catalog,so the lady I talked to is going to see about having the ones I want~Seeking Persephone,The Kiss of a Stranger: A Regency Romance,and Friends and Foes added to their collection,since they have none,unless she can track them down through the ILLS.

[Sophie]

One book I have really enjoyed has been this one....

http://laughingwithlizzie.blogspot.co...

[C., Group Creator]

omg,I started Pride's Prejudice and I'm loving it,so much that I will not be waiting until this evening to get back to it.I will be finishing it today!