Happily Ever After Cafe discussion
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I finished
and moved onto the next book in the series
I've been putting off reading Madeline Hunter's books for ages because of the mixed reviews, but I think she's one of the best historical romance authors I've read. Maybe she's not as well-liked because her books aren't as fluffy and are a little more historically accurate...? I don't know...
I'm not a fan of MH myself. I've tried to read a few of hers but the style of writing doesn't grab me and I haven't been able to connect with the characters like I'd want to. But she does have a good fan base and is well liked so my opinion doesn't matter there. I may try to read more by her. Who knows...
That's a bit like me with Eloisa James. The only one I read of hers I gave two stars and even though I have a few more of hers on my TBR, I have just lost interest. I will try another one day just in case it was this particular book.
I've definitely found HR is a strange genre! Usually I can count on reviews to give me an idea of what I'll like, but everyone - more than with other types of books - seems to have a very personal, very specific idea of what they like.I've bought so many historicals I never managed to finish. Many more than any other subgenre. It's frustrating, and the reason I don't read anywhere near as many historicals as other books. I usually just stick to a handful of trusted authors.
The big thing for me is that I was raised with British English and lived in London for years, so I'm really picky on the small, Britain-specific details. MH does use too much American English for my liking, but she gets the 'feel' right for me...
I used to read a lot of MH, then I stopped because there were a run of several I didn't like. I've only tried a few EJ; she's a hit or miss with me. I have to say, before GoodReads, I was really, really unhappy about one of EJ's books, because two secondary characters I really liked, didn't get a HEA. It wasn't until years later I found out they got their own books.
That was back in the days when you had no idea which # in a series you were reading.
Lisa Kay wrote: "That was back in the days when you had no idea which # in a series you were reading."I was just complaining about those days! I was buying books with a couple of other people, and the shop only stocked random things from the middle of various series.
I know I hate that bookshops keep closing, but it's so much more convenient to order the # you need online... I feel so bad saying that!
I finished
and loved it. It really feels like the Regency era, not a Brady Bunch Disney version of the Regency era (which seems to be the case with too many books these days).I think I'll finish the Rarest Blooms series and then give MH a break. The reviews for the first in the next series aren't that great...
I never read Madeline Hunter before because a very silly trivial reason, the covers didn't interest me (No hunky guy!) LoLWhen I'm in the bookstore I just pick books with prettiest covers, I know I'm that shallow! :)
I still read book out of order because my bookstore and bookswap club aren't very reliable. You got take what you can get :D
I still love bookstores, and I'm glad I can check series numbers on GRs via by iPod/Touch nowadays.
June wrote: "(No hunky guy!) LoL"LMBO!
**Psst** I'm still a book-cover ho, too, but don't tell anyone. I try very hard not to be... but I can't resist a beautiful cover when my will-power is low.
Me too. I will always love old school dead tree books the best and I've got a thing for covers as well. The prettier the better.
Funny - I actually prefer the covers without the hunky guys on them! The MH books attracted me for that reason (not that I'm attracted to women, but you get what I mean!).My preference for paper books is that I seem to get more engrossed in them. I know it makes no sense, but I find it's so easy to get distracted when reading on an ereader. That, and I like to flip back and forth between parts of the books, and it's such a hassle to do with ebooks.
Sonya, I agree. For some unknown reason I seem to enjoy a book in paper form so much more that my e-reader. It's one of the mysteries of the universe, I guess. But I like to flip back and re-read parts also. Reading on my kindle seems so much more clinical without the "feeling" of the book somehow.
I have a Kindle, and while I love it (because instant gratification takes too long), I enjoy snuggling down with a paper book (hardcover or paperback). I love the smell of the pages and the weight of it in my hand and the turning of the pages. Your right, Lisa, a magical mystery of the universe.
I'm part of the book-cover ho club ☺ I love to drool over those things.
About the paper book vs. ereader thing...And I warn you I'm known for the worst metaphors in all of history!
It's like with movies. When I'm in the cinema, I focus entirely on the movie. When I watch a movie at home, fifteen minutes in and I'm thinking, maybe I should see what's on the other channels and, maybe I need a snack.
That's pretty much how it is with me when it comes to books. I just wish I could understand why!
I also love to collect jewelled bookmarks and things, so maybe it's all superficial to me!! Even down to being able to glance the pretty cover whenever I put the book down for a moment.
I wonder if the cover thing varies from country to country. The Australian versus American versus British covers for books are always very different. We seem to be programmed to be attracted to different things. Lots more in the way of pretty men on US covers. In Australia, we tend to see more in the way of pretty dresses. :) :)
I am in the real paper books lovers club. I much prefer seeing all my lovely books together, organized by author and series. I've spent so many years building and rebuilding my book collection, I'm as attached to them as I am my pets, lol! Definitely would try to save as many as I could in event of a housefire, after all people and animals are out of course. I read short stories, mainly horror or erotica freebies, on my Kindle sometimes, but it's just not the same as the real thing.For covers, I like pretty dresses, but I like the ones with the couple together too. Much as I like a hot guy, I'm not as fond of the ones that just show his torso, then cut his head off. Too many like that. I like to see the face! Even if it's goofy looking, it gives me something to look at. :)
I finished The Sum of All Kisses today. I had hoped it would be really good and was ready to give 5 stars. However, it just felt as if something was missing which accounted for it missing out on the fifth star from me.Nevertheless I think it was the best of the series.Did anyone read it yet?
Oh, Sonya, I'm very big on looking back at the bookcover while I read. They really should have that feature as an option for eReaders (and then be able to quickly go back to where you were reading).
Ipshita wrote: "I finished The Sum of All Kisses today."I have it near the top of my TBR pile.
I've started
The books in this series are Scottish books, but also Regency books. An interesting combination!I have fifty-two review books I'm supposed to finish by the end of the year. I don't think it's going to happen!
Kit★ wrote: "I like pretty dresses, but I like the ones with the couple together too. Much as I like a hot guy, I'm not as fond of the ones that just show his torso"
This is the funniest 'torso cover' I've ever seen
What were they thinking?!
Lisa Kay wrote: "Oh, Sonya, I'm very big on looking back at the bookcover while I read. They really should have that feature as an option for eReaders (and then be able to quickly go back to where you were reading)."
Yes! Most annoying is the ebooks where they don't even bother to include the cover at the start (though it's not all that great in black and white on my ereader anyway!).
Finally going to start
today! Loved the first book in the series, so I can't wait to dig into this second book! ^_^
I started "Falling for the Good guy"
the 2nd book in the nice girl to love series.I has not happy about the ending of the 1st book and was considering dropping the series.
I decided to contiune to book two to find out if things got better ...so far it does a good job of easing the reader out of the tart ending of the first book into what seems to be a more elegant romance...
So, I'm chipping away at my review books, and currently reading three!
I'm really loving the middle one (haven't got far enough into the other two yet). I don't usually like the more light-hearted historical romances as much, but this one is just so *British* that it's great fun to read.
Ipshita wrote: "I finished The Sum of All Kisses today. I had hoped it would be really good and was ready to give 5 stars. However, it just felt as if something was missing which accounted for it missing out on th..."I finished The Sum of All Kisses recently as well. I enjoyed the characters, the witty dialogue, and the romance, but there was a pathos that ran throughout and was not resolved to my satisfaction. Perhaps, it was Hugh's self-inflicted tragedy. I never really understood Hugh's family tragedy sufficiently either-the father/sons triangle of disappointment and cruelty.
Just finished Truly by Ruthie Knox, a serialized book on Wattpad. It was funny, sexy, and intelligent. NYC was a central character, as well as the setting. The book will only be available on Wattpad through November, and then will be published again in the summer.
Reading the first book in the Goddess Test series,
. Surprised by how much I'm enjoying it, especially since it's in the YA genre.
Busy reading day today! I finished
and then read Once Upon a Valentine
and am now 12% into
I've gone insane!
Currently I'm reading "Take Two" by Tracey Cramer- Kelly
. I am already on chapter 6. So far it is more of a detective who done it type story with reference to a tart romance between the victim of the poisining and poisner. The relationship between the main characters has not developed yet... but it is easy to read and fast paced
Currently in the middle of
. Giggling and laughing in most part of the book :D
I finished this one last night
I loved it.As soon as I was done with that I started
(Posting from another group!)So… This was a DNF for me
At the start of the book, the hero rescues the heroine, thinking she has been gang raped. The first thing he does is sit behind her on a horse and press his erection against her!!
Also, my family is Ukrainian, and I was uneasy when the author gave the ‘Russian’ prince a name that’s actually Ukrainian, and then I became really offended when she made ‘Russians’ (with Ukrainian names!) out to be slimy, awful, clichéd, moustache-twirling villains.
Hmm, sounds like one to avoid. Thanks, Sonya!
Yuck. I don't understand why authors make heroes press their advantage after a situation like that. It is one my pet peeves. So stupid and insensitive. Sorry about the names, too, Sonya.
The name issue won't be much of a thing for most readers.But the rape thing was really upsetting! It turned out she wasn't raped, but she was sexually assaulted. So why were both of them turned on by each other the night of the rescue? And then for days afterwards? I found it a big insult to real assault victims...
It's a pity, because this was one of my 'really looking forward to in 2014' reads, and I was initially so thrilled to be sent a review copy. :( :(
Yes, I've had that type of thing ruin more than one romance book for me before, too. Totally agree with you about the insult, which is really towards all women. It trivializes the event. And it isn't a natural reaction.Sorry, Sonya. What a let down.
Well now I know to avoid that book! Wow...As for myself, I'll be starting
today, can't wait to see how this series end. But I'm also feeling kinda sad that it will be...lol
^^^^That sounds really interesting!
I'm reading a few more historical romances at the moment (I'm stuck in a phase).
This one
is a continuation of a series, but I forgot it's written in the first person. It takes some adjusting to read about a woman discussing her big breasts! But it's a fun series. Even if the hero is supposed to be a Highlander with long hair, and the guy on the cover is just... not...This one is looking good, but I'm not far in yet
But I think I'm stupid, because I assumed it was set in England, and then the characters started discussing how smart the hero was because he can speak English...
Maybe I should get some sleep before I read more!
Sonya Heaney wrote: " ...It takes some adjusting to read about a woman discussing her big breasts!"What? LOL!
The curse of first person perspective (especially in romance!): how do you tell us how sexy and desirable the heroine is when you're telling the story in her voice? And how do you manage it without her sounding like she's in love with herself?There's a reason publishers prefer third person!
**gigglesnort** True.
Currently reading Dirty Laundry by Heidi Cullinan. Love M/M just as much as M/F. So far this book has the right balance of emotion and sexiness, it's looking good.
Finally finished Journey to the Center of the Earth for a classics group read, and plucked something older and shorter -- not to mention a heckuva lot more fun out of Mount TBR: Born on the 4th of July (Includes: Men Out of Uniform, #6.5).
Sounds really, really good, Heather. LOL!
Leslie wrote: "In the middle of 
"I was just looking into that series yesterday, Leslie. Let us know how you like it.
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