Linda Howard Book Junkies discussion

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Archive > Linda's newest book Troublemaker: What did you think of it?

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message 1: by Jodi (new)

Jodi Sudduth | 85 comments What did you think of LH new book? Did you like it?


message 2: by Anita (new)

Anita (anitanodiva) | 1619 comments Troublemaker was flawed and doesn't come close to the vast majority of her other works.

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


CD {Boulder Blvd} (boulderblvd) | 1047 comments I have to agree with Anita. I found the book flat and the suspense aspect of the plot to be absent through most of the book. Tricks the Golden Retriever was the primary character and was not able to carry the book.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


message 4: by Jodi (new)

Jodi Sudduth | 85 comments I agree. I have not finished the book. I just can't. Do you think LH really wrote the book? I sure would like to see another Mr. Perfect book or Blair Mallory type book. Those were funny, suspenseful and sexy!


message 5: by ❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ (last edited May 30, 2016 09:52PM) (new)

❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ Sadly, not up to usual standards, I believe she's lost her muse.

My GR's and blog review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ Jodi wrote: "I agree. I have not finished the book. I just can't. Do you think LH really wrote the book? I sure would like to see another Mr. Perfect book or Blair Mallory type book. Those were funny, suspensef..."

Yes, she definitely wrote it.


message 7: by Dee (new)

Dee Sauter (indeathaddict) | 7583 comments I haven't gotten it yet, maybe I don't want to read it... I will just because I need to know what you are talking about.


message 8: by Eve (new)

Eve (everf) | 815 comments I really LOVE Linda Howard's books but her recent ones have lost its spark. They are good. I've finished them all but they are not so passionate, emotional and sexy like they used to be. I have no desire to reread them. I wonder whether she has changed her editor or just lost her inspiration? LH has written funny and sexy books like Mr Perfect, Open Season, Blair Mallory books but also deeper and darker books, like Death Angel and Cry No More. They were all amazing books and had me hooked to her writing style.

Well, my copy of TROUBLEMAKER should arrive next week. I hope its not that bad as ICE. But I guess its not possible to write perfect books all the time and reader's tastes are different - one really enjoy some book, others really hate it and don't understand what's the fuss ;)


message 9: by Wanda (new)

Wanda Hamad | 144 comments I read and enjoyed Troublemaker. Maybe it wasn't a Mr. Perfect, but even her "bad" novels are better than many authors' "best"!!


message 10: by Anita (new)

Anita (anitanodiva) | 1619 comments There are some authors that could pull it off, Linda Howard is one of them, except she didn't quite do it this time. Her unique style is what saved this book from being a total disaster.

Like the rest of you, I would like to see more books like Mr. Perfect, Open Season and Blair Mallory. Humor, romance and mystery are my trifecta.


message 11: by Nancy (new)

Nancy (gr-nancy-a) | 799 comments Haven't read it yet but I generally like dog stories so am hopeful.


message 12: by Dee (new)

Dee Sauter (indeathaddict) | 7583 comments Nancy wrote: "Haven't read it yet but I generally like dog stories so am hopeful."

I am too. Also, I don't know if this fell into the writing, but Linda's husband did have a heart attack. I know from experience when you are caring for someone you love a lot of the spontaneity and creativity just goes out the window. I am still looking forward to the book. If for no other reason than it is a LH book.


message 13: by ❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ (last edited Jun 01, 2016 09:58PM) (new)

❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ There could be many reasons why its not on par with her blacklist, however when your anticipating a book tagged as Romantic/Suspense, I for one EXPECT a rom/sus book, especially if I'm paying $12.99 (which in itself is outrageous) for it, I dont want a "Marley and Me" type book....its misleading....would have i still read it? Most likely, because it is LH however; I would have lowed my expectations and quite possibly put off reading it until I could get it at a lower cost.


message 14: by Nancy (new)

Nancy | 69 comments I really struggle to finish the book. I commented somewhere else that I didn't realize that it was a book on a dog. Not that I don't like animals in my books, but the romance and chemistry between the two main characters are so lackluster that it might just as well be a book on Tricks, the golden retriever *sigh*

I miss my old Linda Howard :(


message 15: by Anita (new)

Anita (anitanodiva) | 1619 comments I liked the first 25% of the book. I looks like the LH of old and I was really excited. Then is morphed into the dog as princess of the universe and I almost DNF'ed it. But it was Linda Howard, how could I DNF a Linda Howard book, especially one I had anticipated with bated breath? The last 25% redeemed it, almost.


CD {Boulder Blvd} (boulderblvd) | 1047 comments Did anyone have a problem with the suspense plot? As well as being almost non-existent, it seemed weak.

It's now been a couple of weeks and I'm forgetting some of my thoughts, but I remember while reading it that something didn't gel to me. Since the hacker was on the inside it seemed that the "bad guys" could have gotten his location much sooner than they did. Or did I sleep through some pertinent details?


message 17: by Dee (new)

Dee Sauter (indeathaddict) | 7583 comments The library has shipped my book to me, but it will be a few more days until I get it. With all of these wonderful reviews (LOL) I am so glad I didn't buy it. You are right Dorsey 12.99 is terrible for a book.


message 18: by Anita (new)

Anita (anitanodiva) | 1619 comments I hope we haven't prejudiced you to much. Pleas read the book and give us your honest opinion. I truly hope you like it.


❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ Dee wrote: "The library has shipped my book to me, but it will be a few more days until I get it. With all of these wonderful reviews (LOL) I am so glad I didn't buy it. You are right Dorsey $12.99 is terrible ..."

It is Dee!! My max budget for an ebook is $7.99 and that's for a mainstream author (LH, Sandra Brown, Nora Roberts, etc....) which I think is the norm...not sure how the publisher gets away with charging $12.99....CRAZY!!!!


❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ You may have a different opinion on the book Dee, now that you know to lower your expectations, I hope that you'll enjoy it!!


message 21: by Anita (new)

Anita (anitanodiva) | 1619 comments Expectations can be such a bugger, especially when the author usually produces a great product. But, I don't think even lower expectations is going to help with this book.


message 22: by Eve (new)

Eve (everf) | 815 comments My copy of Troublemaker arrived yesterday. I have some books to finish first, then its time for Troublemaker . At least the book cover looks lovely. Lets see what about the content.

But I want to say one thing: methinks that even not-so-good book by Linda Howard is better than no book at all. Naturally you'd expect that after her long silence, she'd come up with something new and wonderful but at least she's back writing again.
Lets hope she will now find her "old" witty and sizzling writing style once again.
And her publisher should be more accurate about the blurb - if the suspense part is kept minimal, then please DO NOT advertise this book as "a thrilling, fast-paced romantic suspense book"!


message 23: by Janeiowa (last edited Jun 05, 2016 09:32AM) (new)

Janeiowa | 5009 comments A pet peeve of mine, as well. Books that are SciFi/Fantasy/TimeTravel/Alien Worlds, but are labeled only as "romantic suspense" send my "irritation factor" off the scale.


message 24: by Dee (new)

Dee Sauter (indeathaddict) | 7583 comments I just got it today, but haven't started it yet. I want to finish the other book first.... Truthfully, you have quelled my desire to stop reading the book I am currently reading (which I would normally do) to start this one. However I am anxious to see what all you are talking about.


❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ Dee wrote: "I just got it today, but haven't started it yet. I want to finish the other book first.... Truthfully, you have quelled my desire to stop reading the book I am currently reading (which I would norm..."

Happy reading Dee!! It may not be so bad since you know what to expect actually.


message 26: by Dee (new)

Dee Sauter (indeathaddict) | 7583 comments Thanks I am now starting on Cinder so again I am putting off Troublemaker


message 27: by Janeiowa (new)

Janeiowa | 5009 comments I'm slowly getting into Troublemaker. As others have said the first two chapters were great...and now it's turned into what seems like "Tricks, the Wonder Dog" chases the tennis ball, drags every toy out of her own toychest, etc. I love dogs, but I'm gnashing my teeth. This dog part sounds as if it was written by an amateur.

I'm so glad I didn't spend $26.99 for the hardcover or $12.99 for the kindle.


message 28: by Dee (new)

Dee Sauter (indeathaddict) | 7583 comments Me too. My roommate and I were discussing the book and she said when you take it back to the library dump it in the trash bin. I said no way I would then have to buy the book. It wasn't worth it.


message 29: by CD {Boulder Blvd} (last edited Jun 20, 2016 06:43PM) (new)

CD {Boulder Blvd} (boulderblvd) | 1047 comments What is really sad is that the libraries have invested a lot of money in this book. Our library system bought 26 copies of the hardback, 3 copies of the "large print" and the e-book rights. I'm sure other libraries have done similar expenditures.


message 30: by Anita (new)

Anita (anitanodiva) | 1619 comments Ouch! What a waste of public resources. I'm sure my library systems, City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles, did the same.


message 31: by Janeiowa (new)

Janeiowa | 5009 comments But, there will be people who will love it and give it 5 Stars as some have.


message 32: by Nancy (new)

Nancy (gr-nancy-a) | 799 comments Okay!! Used this COLD weekend to read the much-touted Troublemaker! As y'all weren't too enthusiastic I followed my usual pattern of buying the book when it came out in paperback.
I am glad I read it and enjoyed some of her special sparkle but did wonder why it wasn't edited down a bit .. almost 500 pages people!!
Good thing that I like dogs as Tricks was front and center much of this book. But did this genre mixing work well? As one reviewer put it not really. 4 stars for me but not in my top favorites list of her books.


message 33: by Dee (new)

Dee Sauter (indeathaddict) | 7583 comments I pretty much felt the same, Nancy. IMO it wasn't as bad as some people said, but I agree it could have been edited a bit better.


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