BR - An Extraordinary Union, 2018 RATA Challenge

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I just finished listening to Ch 7. Now I’m going to listen to another book for restvof evening. I don’t want to get to far ahead of you all.

This is a really good book.

Interesting and compelling..."

This is where I am now. I do think Rufus and Susie are going to be trouble. (view spoiler)[ the scene with Susie’s mom slapping her gives a bit of insight into her nasty personality, some foreshadowing of future desperation. (hide spoiler)]

[Mariana]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "(I’m only on ch 5. I can’t explain it: it’s not her writing but this time period coupled with these characters definitely make this more painful to read than I expected? Again...her writing is swee..."

I just finished chapter 5 today. I don't know why, but this book is going slowly for me as well. It is not that I don't like the characters or the story. I think it's more like I love the book I'm listening to at the same time. Fortunately, it is a short book; so reading slowly will be fine.

Daniel seems to be a recurring thought for Elle. It seems so strange that she obviously enjoyed sexual relations with him, cared deeply for him as a friend, and yet would not consider marriage. Does anyone else have curiosity about her relationship with Daniel? I really hope the book gets into that back story sometime.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Chapter 8
[spoilers removed]"

There has been an excellent job done with peppering the narrative with flashbacks and foreshadowing. I think Cole understands the reader and giving us answers or ideas when she can, without being too blatant.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I got a lot of reading in yesterday--I'm on chapter 21. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to debrief due to aforementioned snot explosion, but here's a couple of things that have stuck with..."

Up to Chapter 13 - I agree. This is a well-done Chapter. Their interactions are lovely. There’s just so much going on in this book, many moving parts.

Also, Mary is a great side character. Not much gets past her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she knew or suspected Elle’s true purpose there.

Sorry about all the snot :(

[Sam I]

We’re on the mend! I’m finished, if you hadn’t noticed.

Mary is wonderful. I think Cole has something in store for her.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Yep, saw that. My plan is to finish up by Monday, maybe sooner. Glad to hear you all are on the mend!

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Mariana wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "(I’m only on ch 5. I can’t explain it: it’s not her writing but this time period coupled with these characters definitely make this more painful to read than I expected? Aga..."

I am not sure how big of a roll Daniel has, but I suspect a future hero there.

[Lorien]

Finished last night, this was not a book I could just sit down and read for large amount at a time. But it was all good.

First reactions (view spoiler)[
I didn't like the ending, it felt a little too easy. Epilogue seemed to be there more to set up the next book than finish this one.
WOW, Susie is a bigger bitch than I saw coming, Rufus is slightly less clueless than I'd thought too.
And I was relieved/surprised the Senator never assaulted Elle.
I was worried it was heading there, then Malcolm would have to rescue her.
I also thought the idea of a married couple working together would be awkward and difficult thing to do. (hide spoiler)]
I also want to know more about Ben and his Master Dix. I felt like there was more to their story.

Over all pretty good, it took on the tougher topics and background without making light of it. I guess I wasn't the only one, but for a shorter book it is not a fast read. And I can't tell you why.

[Sam I]

Lorien wrote: "Finished last night, this was not a book I could just sit down and read for large amount at a time. But it was all good.

First reactions
I didn't like the ending, it felt a little too easy. Epil..."

Agree--all good. I am a fan of Cole, just not yet a super fan. Also agree that (view spoiler)[ it felt too convenient / easy to wrap up at the end. Also, have a crush on (Mary's?) Robert. He seems lickable. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

So I think I am going to finish tonight. Just finished Chapter 23.

It is getting exciting. The second half has had shorter chapters, so just easier to make progress.

(view spoiler)[ the journey to follow Dix seemed a little contrived to begin with, being able to leave on a moments notice, and they didn’t seem to learn anything. Then the slaver scene was a bit confusing.

Rufus and Susie do become trouble and I liked the plan to free Malcom. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Ok, I am finished. I did enjoy this read and intend to read the next. I agree with many of the comments here. A bit too neatly tied up at the end. I think it all worked but could have worked just a bit better. I made all the connections but sometimes it was a stretch.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Lorien wrote: "As Elle had been free for many years before she became a spy I can see her being less likely to take that treatment, but I think you're right Andrea, she feels very 21st to me. But some of her reac..."

I have completed the book, but I am responding to Lorien in mess #49:

(view spoiler)[
Agreed. That behavior was very 21st C. Although Elle was free, people who are free and Black still need to watch their step.

Also, that wasn't a good think to do since she is a spy. Spy's should not do anything to make themselves "memorable."

The attraction worked for me as well. I felt that the connection was mental as well, rather than based on looks/hormones.

Author took the time or had the skill to make is real. Unfortunately, due to laziness, lack of skill or page-length requirements, the connections is not believable. Insta- can work if it's handled properly.

(hide spoiler)]

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I got a lot of reading in yesterday--I'm on chapter 21. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to debrief due to aforementioned snot explosion, but here's a couple of things that have stuck with..."

Sam,

I am not sure what occurred in these chapters that you made comments. I am reading kindle, but if I have time, I'll try to look and see what occurred in those chapters.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I just finished listening to Ch 7. Now I’m going to listen to another book for restvof evening. I don’t want to get to far ahead of you ..."

Joanna's Mess #51, her spoiler comment

(view spoiler)[
Although Susie is an unpleasant "vomit" in personality, I think this exchange with mother shows how few choices women had at that time. And these lack of choices are something that we see in as HR readers.

Susie comment to her mother made me think that although Susie is that spoiled, pampered "senator's" daughter, there is some bitterness there.
(hide spoiler)]

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Mariana wrote: "seems to be a recurring thought for Elle. It seems so strange that she obviously enjoyed sexual relations with him, cared deeply for him as a friend, and yet would not consider marriage. Does anyone else have curiosity about her relationship with Daniel? I really hope the book gets into that back story sometime. ."

I was also curious if well get to meet Daniel.

[Sam I]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I got a lot of reading in yesterday--I'm on chapter 21. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to debrief due to aforementioned snot explosion, but here's a couple of thi..."

Ah. One was referring to Malcolm showing up & their intimacy,
16 was the rescuing bit. (view spoiler)[ The were both so committed to the greater cause, I felt it a bit odd how they went out of their way to risk everything for the other at that point in the story. I'm sure they would, but I wished for a better set up of the why/how they came to that conclusion.
(hide spoiler)]

[Sam I]

And Andrea, my ultimate conclusion was that the romance didn't grow the way I wanted. I absolutely got the attraction/admiration between the characters, but how they go from that to unyielding loyalty was more of a struggle for me to see--although I loved both characters, I didn't necessarily understand the chances they were willing to take for each other, or why their feelings ran that deep.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "And Andrea, my ultimate conclusion was that the romance didn't grow the way I wanted. I absolutely got the attraction/admiration between the characters, but how they go from that to unyielding loya..."

I think I see your point. Maybe the book needed more chapters before that epilogue.

I think perhaps if we knew why Daniel was lacking, why she didn't care to be his wife and what made Malcolm an acceptable spouse and not Daniel?

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "And Andrea, my ultimate conclusion was that the romance didn't grow the way I wanted. I absolutely got the attraction/admiration between the characters, but how they go from that to unyielding loya..."

That's where I was with it. Liked the characters but wish it had played out differently.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

I finished the audio today on my dinner break at work.

There are a few niggles, but my assessment is that this was a really good reading experience.

I’d try more HR from Alyssa Cole and if anyone whom I know on GR is on the fence and asked my opinion, I’d feel ok about encouraging them to try it.

One niggle that I had was that Malcolm and Elle were a little reckless as spies. Spies are not supposed to do anything out of character.

First, Elle elbowed a white guy and called him a fool. Even free black folks in the south are in constant danger.

Second, Malcolm payed attention to Elle on his first visit to the senator’s house that did not fit the role he played. Also, Mary was aware that they were looking at each other. This should not have been obvious to others.

But I’ll give it a pass since this is an HR and to a spy, derring-do, espionage thriller.

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Great points Andrea! I hope to respond in more detail later.

[Mariana]

I know I am the only one who hasn't finished. I just wrapped up the other two books I was reading simultaneously, so now I will focus on this one.

I am through chapter 8.

I did not like the first scene in the MacTavish storeroom. Malcolm jumps from kissing to a quickie way too quickly for me, especially when he knew Elle was reticent about sexual interactions with him.

I appreciate the very slight glimpse into Malcolm's backstory. It gives some insight into his views on love. However, his father's lack of character should not take away from love. At this point, I don't get how Malcolm "learned the true power of love: It could take a good man, hollow him out, and fill him with something caustic." That's not a good man OR true love!

[Joanna Loves Reading, Bluestocking of HR novels]

Mariana wrote: "I know I am the only one who hasn't finished. I just wrapped up the other two books I was reading simultaneously, so now I will focus on this one.

I am through chapter 8.

I did not like the first..."

I thought that scene went too far also.

Interesting thoughts on Malcolm’s father... I am not sure I made it that far in my thoughts of it, but great points. I’ll be interested to see where you end on this.

[Mariana]

I finished reading tonight. The second half of the book was much more exciting! I agree with Joanna's points that the shorter chapters made it easier to read, but also I just couldn't put the book down. The first hundred Pages drug for me. It was like I had to force myself to read a chapter a day just to engage in any discussion. The last portion was the complete opposite and redeemed the book for me. I averaged the slow 2.5 star beginning and the five star ending for me. I definitely plan to read the second book in the series.

[Andrea AKA Catsos Person]

Mariana,

I kept putting the book down as up until I reached the exciting part. I think I may have started and completed one or two books while on hiatus from this.

The exciting parts were worth the wait!

[Mariana]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Mariana,

I kept putting the book down as up until I reached the exciting part. I think I may have started and completed one or two books while on hiatus from this.

The exciting parts were worth ..."

Yes, agreed. I also completed two other books after starting this one, but I am glad I persevered!