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Tina wrote: "Davina wrote: As for the world building, I don't have a lot to compare her to but it seems to me that Ward's world doesn't conveniently change dramatically to suit a given book as I've seen happen ..."Tina, what you said about the Butch/Marissa/V/Jane love rectangle ... I SOOOO agree and that is what I feared--that I won't believe V & Jane's HEA! I don't want any sexual confusion in my romance, especially on the guy's part. M/F hetero sex straight up. But okay, the books are written. Ward has creative license. I'm going stop bitchin'...haha
Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Davina wrote: "I'm reading Linda Howard's Mackenzie's Mission. It's kinda hard for me reading about the nasty with little Joe in the lead. lol Dunno why, but I just keep picturing him as the sullen..."I know! He owned the scene with him and Phury facing off at the night club (in Lover Awakened).
I can't wait to revisit his warped mind! I just love the guy. :)
Oh by the way, Tina ... an acquaintance at Amazon convinced me to struggle through Night Play & Acheron. I've already forgotten what NP is about (I know its a story about some chick name Bride) and the sheer size of Acheron is freaking me out. I'll get to it though because I promised. But yeah, even with her underwhelming first installment, Ward tops Kenyon any day, every time.
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Any character that could make me like a pimp and a drug dealer has it going on. Because I cannot stand either, typically. I should be his shellan, not Ehlena. I'd be like, "Oh, dear. I can get over your former profession. Let me brush your mohawk!" LOL.
LOL! I loved his look. Black mohawk, purple eyes, suit. *sigh*
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Sighing right next to you!!!
Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Davina wrote: "Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Davina wrote: "I'm reading Linda Howard's Mackenzie's Mission. It's kinda hard for me reading about the nasty with little Joe in the lead. lol Du..."No, *I* should be his shellan.
As for this "Oh, dear. I can get over your former profession. Let me brush your mohawk!" couldn't have said it better!
Ward got major props with the way in which she presented Rhev. He loves Bella so much and helps out Marissa when she's in need ... heck what's not to love, drug dealing pimp aside. LOL
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Reading Lover Revealed. Too early to form any impressions. Read somewhere that she-woman Xhex and John Matthew are going to hook up in the future. Anybody knows if that's true? I also have a question about Kresley Cole's IAD. Can this series be read out of order? And even if it can would you recommend it?
SPOILER FOR JM****Yes, it's true, LOL.
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The Warlord Wants Forever
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
Dark Needs At Night's Edge
Dark Desires After Dusk
Kiss of a Demon King
Deep Kiss of Winter
Here is the link to the ebook for The Warlord Wants Forever:
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images...
I just want to warn you, Davina, that you will probably find some of the heroines in this series annoying. I know some grated on my nerves. Having said that, this is one of my favorite paranormal series.
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Yeah, she does have vulnerabilities that you see later and Ward stops talking about her friggin' big shoulders. WTH! LOL.
Thanks. I've been scan reading Kiss Of A Demon King and the heroine came across as very shrewish. She made me uncertain about going back and starting from the beginning of the series, hence the question. As for Xhex, I've just met her in person and I'm cool with her. She was described as "deliciously hermaphroditic". Heck of a description. Can't say it gave me a particularly attractive view of her and I thought "poor JM". LOL. So I had to ask in case I was mistaken, but apparently I'm not. I too am now curious to see how Ward presents their story.
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Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors
(last edited Dec 04, 2009 02:42AM)
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I think the WARD has some serious moxie to introduce such a strong and unconventional in looks heroine into her series. At first, you really don't know what to think of Xhex, but her steadfast loyalty to Rehv, won me over. I don't think she's a butch as she is presented initially. And, to be honest, I don't think Butch would have hooked up with a Man-Woman, so maybe she's presented as a muscle tough as a misleading kind of thing by the WARDen. Anyhoo, I love Xhex. She's my favorite heroine in this series. She has the most depth, with the exception of perhaps, Bella.
Getting through Lover Revealed rather slowly due to work and taking care of Mom, but I'm 200+ pages and liking it so far. Love seeing the Reverend again. LOL I think I'm obsessed. He's definitely being poised to be my most favourite brother. So cute too that's he's pining after Marissa. Poor thing.Surprisingly loving Wrath in this as well, even more so than in his own book. He was barely noticeable to me in DL for some reason. Perhaps because he was presented as this badass who had everything together. Nice to see that he's not this wholly perfect being. Love being witness to his uncertainties and insecurities about being King. Gives him a very human quality that is very appealing. Oh and yes, so loving the long hair and the fact that he's grown it out for Beth's sake .... ahhh! :) Love getting to know more about V as well, although his sexual proclivities (the BDSM) are kind of freaky.
As for the rest, while I prefer my heroines to be a bit more wholesome, I don't have any particular aversion to alpha heroines. I just don't like it when they're overly macho and butch. Very few authors can do alpha females right, imo. Most of them simply give their ladies traits synonymous to alpha males and call it a day. Personally, I think that women and men, even the alphas, will reaction differently in various situations. They may share certain characteristics but at the end of it they're not the same.
Being tough and shrewish are two different things. Creating heroines who throw temper tantrums and hissy fits for no *real or significant* reason just to say that they're strong, is just annoying and doesn't endear me to the characters. Stephanie Laurens is particularly famous for these types of heroines, imo, though not everyone will agree. And from scan reading the Kiss of A Demon King, I got the same impression of Cole. Though its probably unfair to judge just by that one book.
As for Xhex, she has only so far made 2 appearances in LR. Don't know much about her to form any opinions. I unfortunately pictured a very unattractive woman because of the hermaphroditic description coupled with the overgrown muscles, crew-cut and height. So aside from that I really have no complaint about her. However, even if I'm satisfied with how an author crafts her alpha heroine I prefer her to remain reasonably within the dimensions of a "normal" woman. If I had to complain about anything it would be that since she's a future heroine I would have preferred not to have had any details about her (sexual) encounter with Brian (I actually really hate the name Butch!) or any other male. Considering that she's JM's future mate, knowing that she slept with one of his brothers is kind of skeevy. I would have preferred if it was with someone neutral, that neither JM nor we the audience don't know. That's my only beef, otherwise as I said I'm good with Xhex so far.
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Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors
(last edited Dec 04, 2009 01:00PM)
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Davina I would definitely start reading Cole with A Hunger Like No Other. Emmaline is probably the opposite of what you've described. In fact, some fans don't like her because she was so sweet.
I am more a fan of sweet heroines than alpha, so called tough heroines, because I think that writers tend to attribute stereotypic traits to them.
Xhex is interesting. She comes off as being all tough, but she's actually my type of strong heroine. She is not shrewish, doesn't throw her weight around. She's actually very calm, composed, quiet, and when the heat goes down, absolutely deadly. That's why I love her. I am with you. I cannot stand obnoxious, look at me kickbutt, I'm tough kind of heroines. Tough is not about posturing.
My favorite heroes are the quiet, but deadly badasses that you don't even see coming. I don't like posturers, regardless of their sex.
I started reading Glutton For Pleasure which is really a menage story, but this is the first romance that has an Indian American heroine. To add to the mix, the hero(es) are Black Irish twins. I'm both really surprised and really excited.
Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Right there with you..."LOL. There has to be some discomfort, otherwise it wouldn't be a novel. Conflict. I think her having a past relationship with Butch was realistic. I agree, shrewish or butchy heroines are not attractive. You said it best, Danielle. Tough is not posturing.
Nisha, do you read paranormal romance? There's this PNR that I am now dying to read that's got a desi hero. *_* I didn't even realize at first because authors are always choosing random names so I didn't think anything of it, but there is a method to his name. There's another PNR I know with one too, and I loved that book. I only know of one IR with one.
new_user wrote: "Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Right there with you..."LOL. There has to be some discomfort, otherwise it wouldn't be a novel. Conflict. I think her having a past relationship with Butch wa..."
PNR? not often. but I have moments. A "desi hero"? Wow, i didn't know many people attach those terms together. JK. Sounds interesting. What is it called?
LOL! Oh! Some anger there! xD LOL, JK. I understand.Here are the PNR ones:
And the contemporary IR:
new_user wrote: "LOL! Oh! Some anger there! xD LOL, JK. I understand."Not really anger. But lots of frustration.
I added them to my TBR
Yeah, I know how you feel. I haven't found that many exemplary guys from my culture either-- unless they're married. Argh. LOL. Btw, just a heads-up, Blaze of Memory is part of a series best read in order, but it's a great series! The plot is good. There's political intrigue, a little scifi, action, and romance. :D Here's the first book:
new_user wrote: "Yeah, I know how you feel. I haven't found that many exemplary guys from my culture either-- unless they're married. Argh. LOL. Btw, just a heads-up, Blaze of Memory is part of a series best read..."
I haven't read any nalini singh yet. I'll have to try it sometime this break.
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Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Nisha, I definitely recommend her as well. She's a fantastic writer. She got me into a sci-fi type book (I love sci fi movies, but I was not a big sci-fi reader. I love fantasy though)."I like non-romance (actually, a little romance) fantasy and sci-fi. I was big on Vampires a few years ago, but now I'm just taking baby steps back into PNR
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Yeah, I get the need for conflict (especially in an unconventional romance series like the BDB), but that doesn't I have to like it! lol
I will give the Cole series a try, but perhaps not now. I have to finish the BDB and then I'll probably be too busy to commit myself for a while. Usually when I start a new series I prefer to read the books back to back--something I don't have the time for now. I'm looking forward to meet Xhex as you know her, Danielle. She's certainly an unconventional heroine (in terms of looks if not character traits).
I am reading Charlaine Harris' Shakespeare's Champion which is the second book in her Lily Bard mystery series. I finished the first one, Shakespeare's Landlord in record time. Really enjoying the series so far. The mystery element is so-so, but the characters are great.I am off paranormals right now, but Amazon offered Hotter After Midnight by Cynthia Eden as a free Kindle download. The premise seemed interesting so I downloaded just to have for later when I start reading PNR again. I mention this because this is the first book in a trilogy (so far) which includes Midnight Sins and Midnight's Master. As I was looking through these books using the "See Inside" feature on Amazon, I notice that there is an IR couple (BW/WM) that has an arc that runs through the three books so far. She is an ME and he is a cop. They are major secondary characters.
I haven't actually read any of the three books so I can't completely comment on the quality of the writing, plot or anything else, but what I did see while skimming through the pages online looks interesting and promising.
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Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors
(last edited Dec 04, 2009 07:26PM)
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The BDB is one of the few series I almost had to read back to back. I was so consumed with those books. Normally I break up my series. I couldn't do that with them. My sister got sucked into them, and she called me when I was in training in Denver to ask where the rest of the books were. LOL.
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--Keep us posted. I picked up the first Lily Bard mystery.
Just finished Lover Revealed and its a strong 2,5 star read for me. I can understand now where some of the reviews I've read about this book are coming from. All the hallmarks of Ward were there, yet this book lacked a certain vital ... something. That sense of a deep romantic connection between the leads, as were evident in the other books, was missing imo. I think Ward manipulated our emotions greatly with this book, by upstaging any sympathies we might habour for Marissa to be transferred to V. Marissa was a curiously hollow character. While I felt bad for what she's had to endure, she felt more like a secondary character rather than a lead because your attention is forced to focus elsewhere --on a character who seems more in need of your compassion. Though they've been attracted to each other for a while, the way in which Ward told her & Butch's story feels like a cop out. Like she paired Butch with Marissa because she knew her readership might not react positively to a V/B or any pairing of a homosexual nature so early on in the series. I lack the gift of words, so I'm not really sure if I'm making sense.
This book was suppose to be about Marissa & Brian, but reading between the lines I felt like it wasn't as you were witness to V's struggle with his feelings for Butch. And who wouldn't feel bad for him even if you're not totally okay with his baser instincts? Our culture pretty much programmes us to cheer for the underdog, doesn't it. Moreover, the fact that he doesn't like Marissa also sets up him as someone scorned, like a wife cast aside for a mistress. His thoughts just after Butch's transition -- that he was the one who healed Butch, he was the one who aided Butch's transition with his own hand etc -- made that quite clear. Just like a wife who've spent years devoted to a husband who all but throws her away for a younger, leaner secretary.
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind that our sympathies for V are stirred, but I would have preferred to wait for his own book. I felt like Marissa was upstaged by him. And although I do believe Brian loves her, I got the impression that there will always be a 3rd person in their relationship. And that there is something mutual between Butch and V ... beyond friendship. As Tina said earlier (and perhaps we can be accused of being purists lol) this can work in UF, but in romance ... not so much.
Also the story line about Butch's heritage seems just a tad too convenient. When Butch started hanging out with the brothers some eyebrows were raised, but not in any significant way. I'm thinking if Butch had any connection to the Vampire race, even if the brothers were in the dark about the vast majority of the details, wouldn't someone even question the possibility? I mean considering the dangers, I find it implausible that vampires -- especially the brothers -- would let a human into their fold just for sport. Yet that was what they did until this book where it was miraculously revealed (hence this book's title, perhaps?) that Butch is connected to Wrath of all people, the most pureblooded of all vamps. Making it conveniently impossible to question Butch's right to transition and be initiated into the Brotherhood. Why didn't they think to put Butch through the regression earlier, immediately after he became attached to the brothers?
Lol I realise I may just be over analysing stuff here, and the more (overly?:) pragmatic among us will perhaps say that's what a good book does -- pushes boundaries, makes us uncomfortable as well as elates us. Be that as it may, it seems I'm not alone in having these questions & quibbles. The answer maybe that Ward's just thinking up different scenarios as she goes along, completing each book -- in which case I'd say she still did a pretty decent job compared to others I know, like she who will not be named. LOL At least Ward's foibles still make some smidgeon of sense ... and her world not obscenely altered from book to book.
Anyway, if I feel this way about Brian (who I do believe at his core is heterosexual but still in the future maybe open to homosexual experimentation because of his affection for V) & Marissa's union, I'm curious to see what I'll make of V & Jane's, knowing for sure V's bi.
I think I'll read another book -- just to give myself a break from Ward's voice -- before reading Lover Unbound.
While I take a break from Ward, have started on Linda Howard's All The Queen's Men based on Arch's rec. It's too early to make an impression, but it starts out in true LH style which is good. Yesterday while trying to decide what to read, I came across Anne Stuart's Into the Fire. I know you said she's a favourite author of yours, Danielle. Have you read this book, and if yes what can you say about it?
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Is this the book in which the hero avenges(?) the heroine when she's raped?
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Recently I managed to read Linda Howard's All the King's Men and Anne Stuart's Into the Fire.Re All the King's Men let me first say that I agree with you, Arch! John Medina is certainly my type of hero: alpha to the max, intense and totally in control. I liked Swain from Kiss Me While I Sleep, but John is definitely my favourite so far in this loosely connected series. ATQM was not a complete hit for me overall, though. It was very similar in setting, plot and characterization (with the exception of John) with Kiss Me While I Sleep. In fact, I felt like I was reading the same book but with different names for the characters. Never a good sign for any book that's suppose to be worth its salt. So I ended up skimming towards the end. I may have had my complaints (when I have never? lol) about other Howard books I've read, but I always finished them without having to skim.
Anne Stuart's Into the Fire was an interesting, intriguing read. It was different from other books in this genre but also the same, if that makes any sense. Though most reviewers seem to agree this is not the best representation of Stuart's work, they certainly agree that it maintains her flavour. I didn't mind the hero. I didn't consider his first sexual encounter with Jamie rape. I liked that, physically, he was different from most men you meet in Romancelandia: tall, lanky and blonde but still totally badass and sexy. Can't say I've ever come across such a hero before, but Stuart made him attractive to me. So much so that I didn't mind the image I had of him in my head -- that of the actor Chad Michael Murray, but with a different and better head (I've never liked how that kid looked, but from the shoulders downwards he's not bad).
As for the heroine, she was definitely a contradiction and I expected to have issues with her going into the story, but I found her behaviour to be consistent with one who suffers from (perhaps latent) rape trauma. She was in what seemed to be perpetual denial but her sexual urges. She didn't want to like or enjoy sex considering her experience, and especially not with a man like our hero, but she ended up doing both and she couldn't deal with the ensuing feelings. She'd say she has to get out then seek the hero out in his bedroom, clearly asking for more than just a cuddle (as if he's the cuddling type). Makes sense to me.
But hey this wouldn't be a Davina review without some criticism, and that would be toward Stuart's writing style. A little vague, convulted. I wasn't particular fond of it. I also didn't like how it ended. Stuart didn't really convince me that these two were a viable couple. I actually don't see them making it far. Not saying I want everything all tied up in a nice little box with a bow, but having the leads come together on a more solid foundation would have sufficed. All that said I'll be seeking out more of Stuart's books. I like what she did with the characters in Into the Fire. Weren't all that 3-dimensional, but they were meaty nonetheless. And it was a unique story line too, without coming across as offensive.
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Re All the King's Men let me first say that I agree with you, Arch! John Medina is certainly my type..."
John stood out. :)
He's a good bad boy!
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Some of the things the hero and heroine says in this book is weird, but I guess in there day, it made sense. We all tend to say things that means the same exact thing other people is saying.
This book is 388 pages long and so far, I am only on page 34. I don't know, when I will be finished with this book. So far, it's keeping my attention.
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I suppose this is a historical, Arch?
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Yes, it's a historical book Davina.
After Into the Fire I'd plan to hop right back into Ward's world with Lover Unbound but my sister snatched both it, Lover Enshrined and Lover Avenged, claiming she'd read them way faster than me. So while I wait her out, I have Chase's Lord of Scoundrels lined up. However, when am I going to find time to read it I don't know. Besides work, still have a little shopping left to do and christmas dinner will be on me this year if I can't sweet talk the hubs into doing it.
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I managed to squeeze in a little reading time this weekend and finished Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels. I had great expectations for this book because it's so wildly acclaimed. Well, I wouldn't go as far as to say I disliked the book, but I didn't like it either. This is my second Chase novel and it's obvious to me that Chase is a wordsmith of the highest calibre. She can write, and with a wittism(sp?) I, as a fledgling writer, can only aspire to.
However, I definitely see a pattern in Chase's style that is starting to disturb my enjoyment of her work and as a result this made LoS only a 2 star read for me. I've put a review Amazon and will add one on goodreads in a little while.
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Fans of Interracial Romance
Books mentioned in this topic
Shakespeare's Landlord (other topics)Shakespeare's Champion (other topics)
Midnight Sins (other topics)
Hotter After Midnight (other topics)
Midnight's Master (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Shelly Laurenston (other topics)Shelly Laurenston (other topics)
Shelly Laurenston (other topics)
Shelly Laurenston (other topics)
Lynn Viehl (other topics)
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--Davina I think you will be in ecstasy when you read Lover Avenged. Rehv, he is the man!!!