Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
Beautiful Days
I decided to only move forward about 30 years in my book reading timeline to 1929 New York. This is the second series by this author, and I think I might like it more than the first! I think there is at least one more to come out, this year sometime, which is good because I have many questions about the main characters that remain unanswered.
Question 1: How exactly does one get made into a screen star?
Question 2: Who is the murderer?
Question 3: Does Cordellia end up with the person I want her to, or does she blow it?
Question 4: Which one dies?
And more questions that I don't want to write down because they might spoil the series. And I would hate for that to happen, it really is very good!
Also, 50 books already this year! This staying home part time thing is really working out for my reading time :)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Nos. 47 & 48: Envy and Splendor
Envy by Anna Godbersen
Splendor
These are books 3 & 4 in the Luxe series - I am finally done and ready to move out of 1900 for a little while.
I have more to say but no time to say it. Hopefully I can come back to this post soon and write a little more. Until then, I will be busy writing appeals council briefs and contracts quizzes. Fun?
Splendor
These are books 3 & 4 in the Luxe series - I am finally done and ready to move out of 1900 for a little while.
I have more to say but no time to say it. Hopefully I can come back to this post soon and write a little more. Until then, I will be busy writing appeals council briefs and contracts quizzes. Fun?
Sunday, March 25, 2012
No. 46: Rumors
Rumors by Anna Godbersen
This is the second book in the Luxe series, maybe not quite as good as the first because of sadness and broken hearts - I really hate when it doesn't end up happily ever after when it should. But still good, still full of amazing dresses/outfits. I wish I could visualize them better - I had to look up the names of a few kinds of fabric so I could have a better idea. This of course lead me to vast internet sources for authentic period costumes - from any period you can imagine - which of course lead me to many wasted hours (or not wasted, depends on your perspective) with Ella and Avery in my lap voting on which dresses we liked the best. It is no surprise that the more elaborate, bejeweled and enormous the dress the more Ella liked it. Avery liked all of the black dresses, because black is her favorite color.
Anyway, back to the book, not much to say other than it was good and I now have to read the rest in the series, if only so that my new found costuming education does not go to waste!
This is the second book in the Luxe series, maybe not quite as good as the first because of sadness and broken hearts - I really hate when it doesn't end up happily ever after when it should. But still good, still full of amazing dresses/outfits. I wish I could visualize them better - I had to look up the names of a few kinds of fabric so I could have a better idea. This of course lead me to vast internet sources for authentic period costumes - from any period you can imagine - which of course lead me to many wasted hours (or not wasted, depends on your perspective) with Ella and Avery in my lap voting on which dresses we liked the best. It is no surprise that the more elaborate, bejeweled and enormous the dress the more Ella liked it. Avery liked all of the black dresses, because black is her favorite color.
Anyway, back to the book, not much to say other than it was good and I now have to read the rest in the series, if only so that my new found costuming education does not go to waste!
No. 45: Luxe
Luxe by Anna Godbersen
When I was trying to type the name of this book in the title area I wrote Luke instead of Luxe - like 7 times in a row. Weird.
Anyway, I have read this series before, but I had hoped it would be long enough ago that I wouldn't remember what happened. Unfortunately, this turned out to be only partially true - the main plot points of this book are very very memorable. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it is a good book.
It is set in turn of the century New York City and focuses on two sisters and their "friends" among the elite of society. I love love love the descriptions of the dresses, houses and general fanciness. So amazing, makes me want to start sewing ridiculously elaborate dresses for the girls. They would love it!
When I was trying to type the name of this book in the title area I wrote Luke instead of Luxe - like 7 times in a row. Weird.
Anyway, I have read this series before, but I had hoped it would be long enough ago that I wouldn't remember what happened. Unfortunately, this turned out to be only partially true - the main plot points of this book are very very memorable. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing, it is a good book.
It is set in turn of the century New York City and focuses on two sisters and their "friends" among the elite of society. I love love love the descriptions of the dresses, houses and general fanciness. So amazing, makes me want to start sewing ridiculously elaborate dresses for the girls. They would love it!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
No 44: Storming the Castle
Storming the Castle by Eloisa James
Haha, you thought I was going to clean the house - don't be crazy! How can I clean the house when in the middle of cleaning said house, I discover another unread book! There is no option but to stop and read it, the laundry can wait. Who needs their clothes folded and put away anyways, clean should be good enough.
This is a novella that follows one of her earlier fairy tale based books - the Cinderella one. Now the prince and princess are hapily married and have a baby who is unfortunately quite sick. The FMC in this book lives in a neighboring village and is engaged to be married to someone she dislikes immensely. So she runs away when she hears that the baby prince needs a new nurse. While she is at the castle she meets the Prince's illigetimate brother and they fall in love. Tragically she is already engaged and he is ineligible because he is a bastard (by birth not temperament) and sadness ensues.
If only this were a romance novel where they could work this out and live happily ever after! Oh, wait...
Now I am really going to do housework, I mean it this time.
Haha, you thought I was going to clean the house - don't be crazy! How can I clean the house when in the middle of cleaning said house, I discover another unread book! There is no option but to stop and read it, the laundry can wait. Who needs their clothes folded and put away anyways, clean should be good enough.
This is a novella that follows one of her earlier fairy tale based books - the Cinderella one. Now the prince and princess are hapily married and have a baby who is unfortunately quite sick. The FMC in this book lives in a neighboring village and is engaged to be married to someone she dislikes immensely. So she runs away when she hears that the baby prince needs a new nurse. While she is at the castle she meets the Prince's illigetimate brother and they fall in love. Tragically she is already engaged and he is ineligible because he is a bastard (by birth not temperament) and sadness ensues.
If only this were a romance novel where they could work this out and live happily ever after! Oh, wait...
Now I am really going to do housework, I mean it this time.
No. 43: The Taming of the Duke
The Taming of the Duke by Eloisa James
I found this book when I was cleaning out my craft room and realized that I had never read it. So, obviously the only logical thing to do in that situation is to stop cleaning immediately and read the book. So I did. This is why my house is messy but I have read 43 books in less than 3 months.
Anyway, this is another historical romance - regency era specifically. It is about a young woman who was widowed after only 2 weeks of marriage and her plan to find herself an affair. It is also about her alcoholic ex-guardian who happens to be a duke! I must say, I love a book about a duke. I believe it all goes back to my beloved Wulf in the Slightly series by Mary Balough. This duke is no Wulf, but he is a drunk, then a recovering drunk and then he is in disguise and finally a regular sober (apparently very handsome) duke.
This book is clearly part of a series (hooray!) about 4 sisters - I must find the rest of the series immediately of course. However, I may not be able to read them for awhile. Turns out all this reading has caused me to fall very behind in my housework. People might start to get upset if they have no clean clothes or dishes. I better get on that.
I found this book when I was cleaning out my craft room and realized that I had never read it. So, obviously the only logical thing to do in that situation is to stop cleaning immediately and read the book. So I did. This is why my house is messy but I have read 43 books in less than 3 months.
Anyway, this is another historical romance - regency era specifically. It is about a young woman who was widowed after only 2 weeks of marriage and her plan to find herself an affair. It is also about her alcoholic ex-guardian who happens to be a duke! I must say, I love a book about a duke. I believe it all goes back to my beloved Wulf in the Slightly series by Mary Balough. This duke is no Wulf, but he is a drunk, then a recovering drunk and then he is in disguise and finally a regular sober (apparently very handsome) duke.
This book is clearly part of a series (hooray!) about 4 sisters - I must find the rest of the series immediately of course. However, I may not be able to read them for awhile. Turns out all this reading has caused me to fall very behind in my housework. People might start to get upset if they have no clean clothes or dishes. I better get on that.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
No. 42: Born to Darkness
Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann
I was so excited to see a new Suzanne Brockmann book out that I bought the hardcover book! I never buy hardcovers, but I make an exception for Suzanne Brockmann.
I thought it was a new SEAL book, but alas it was not. It was still great, but maybe not Troubleshooters series great. This is a totally different style of book - set in the future with some unusual paranormal stuff thrown in. Almost reminded me of the X men in parts (special institute for training people/kids with unusual abilities) but there was some good romance thrown in too, and action of course and a little icky bad guy/serial killer/gross stuff that she has become fond of in recent years.
Oh, I forgot! The MMC is an ex-SEAL, so that is almost as good.
I was so excited to see a new Suzanne Brockmann book out that I bought the hardcover book! I never buy hardcovers, but I make an exception for Suzanne Brockmann.
I thought it was a new SEAL book, but alas it was not. It was still great, but maybe not Troubleshooters series great. This is a totally different style of book - set in the future with some unusual paranormal stuff thrown in. Almost reminded me of the X men in parts (special institute for training people/kids with unusual abilities) but there was some good romance thrown in too, and action of course and a little icky bad guy/serial killer/gross stuff that she has become fond of in recent years.
Oh, I forgot! The MMC is an ex-SEAL, so that is almost as good.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Nos. 39-41 The Hunger Games Trillogy
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Catching Fire
Mockingjay
I kept seeing previews for the Hunger Games movie (NEXT WEEK!!!) and I got all excited so I thought I would read the book to refresh my memory. Never mind that I have already read this series this year. Well, one thing lead to another and I pretty much read all three books in a span of about 5 1/2 hours including a quality 2 hours at the McDonald's playland. At lunchtime. During spring break. With so very many screaming children. It was the only thing allowing me to cling to sanity.
Anyway, to repeat myself for the 4th or 5th time - these books are amazing. Especially the first one. The second two are really like one long book split into two and they are good too. Very good. Everyone should read them. Or else.
Just kidding, not or else. But seriously, read them.
Catching Fire
Mockingjay
I kept seeing previews for the Hunger Games movie (NEXT WEEK!!!) and I got all excited so I thought I would read the book to refresh my memory. Never mind that I have already read this series this year. Well, one thing lead to another and I pretty much read all three books in a span of about 5 1/2 hours including a quality 2 hours at the McDonald's playland. At lunchtime. During spring break. With so very many screaming children. It was the only thing allowing me to cling to sanity.
Anyway, to repeat myself for the 4th or 5th time - these books are amazing. Especially the first one. The second two are really like one long book split into two and they are good too. Very good. Everyone should read them. Or else.
Just kidding, not or else. But seriously, read them.
Friday, March 2, 2012
No. 38: My Heart Stood Still
My Heart Stood Still by Lynn Kurland
Should have read this one first, but it was still good even though I knew what exactly what was going to happen. This may be a surprise to you, but I know pretty much what is going to happen in most romance novels - they fall in love, happily ever after, the end. So even though I knew exactly what was going to happen here, rather than the general idea I usually have, it was still worth a read because it is the character development, the little side plot points and the general depth of story you get from a full book rather than a brief retelling in a later book in the series.
That being said, I don't have strong feelings for either of the two main characters. I tried, I wanted to, but I couldn't pull it off. Not sure why, it just wasn't working for me. Still a good book, but not one of my favorites in this series.
So I have officially read ALL of the Lynn Kurland books that I own - there are maybe a handful left that I need to track down, including Kendrick which I think might be one of my favorites but I can't remember and it is not on kindle!!! For shame Amazon, how could you leave this book out?!?!?
Should have read this one first, but it was still good even though I knew what exactly what was going to happen. This may be a surprise to you, but I know pretty much what is going to happen in most romance novels - they fall in love, happily ever after, the end. So even though I knew exactly what was going to happen here, rather than the general idea I usually have, it was still worth a read because it is the character development, the little side plot points and the general depth of story you get from a full book rather than a brief retelling in a later book in the series.
That being said, I don't have strong feelings for either of the two main characters. I tried, I wanted to, but I couldn't pull it off. Not sure why, it just wasn't working for me. Still a good book, but not one of my favorites in this series.
So I have officially read ALL of the Lynn Kurland books that I own - there are maybe a handful left that I need to track down, including Kendrick which I think might be one of my favorites but I can't remember and it is not on kindle!!! For shame Amazon, how could you leave this book out?!?!?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
No. 37: Much Ado in the Moonlight
Much Ado in the Moonlight by Lynn Kurland
I screwed up and read this book before I read My Heart Stood Still - so I caused myself a little unnecessary wondering. The two books are so very close in plot, only the different characters seperates them. Seriously - McKinnon falls in love with ghost living at Thropewold Castle, sorrow over circumstances, more ghosts, time travel, love, etc...
I must say I enjoyed the transformation of Connor from bloodthirsty ghost to romantic though, very amusing.
I screwed up and read this book before I read My Heart Stood Still - so I caused myself a little unnecessary wondering. The two books are so very close in plot, only the different characters seperates them. Seriously - McKinnon falls in love with ghost living at Thropewold Castle, sorrow over circumstances, more ghosts, time travel, love, etc...
I must say I enjoyed the transformation of Connor from bloodthirsty ghost to romantic though, very amusing.
No. 36: Till There Was You
Till There Was You by Lynn Kurland
This is the story of Zach Smith (sister to Elizabeth, wife of James MacLeod) and Mary dePiaget - yes, the perfect combination of the two series in one book! Now with added matchmaking ghosts AND time travel. And of course a vindictive woman to complicate matters not to mention a murderous would-be fiancee and poisoning! Never forget the poisoning.
Anyway, I don't love Mary as much as I have the other heroines in this series, but I can't get enough of those dePiaget lads! I am happy to see the author leaving room for plenty of future books in this series by adding cousins aplenty as potential future heroes! I do love Zach though, and his attempts at blacksmithing - his last name is Smith afterall, and of course Robin - I always love Robin!
This is the story of Zach Smith (sister to Elizabeth, wife of James MacLeod) and Mary dePiaget - yes, the perfect combination of the two series in one book! Now with added matchmaking ghosts AND time travel. And of course a vindictive woman to complicate matters not to mention a murderous would-be fiancee and poisoning! Never forget the poisoning.
Anyway, I don't love Mary as much as I have the other heroines in this series, but I can't get enough of those dePiaget lads! I am happy to see the author leaving room for plenty of future books in this series by adding cousins aplenty as potential future heroes! I do love Zach though, and his attempts at blacksmithing - his last name is Smith afterall, and of course Robin - I always love Robin!
No. 35: A Dance Through Time
A Dance Through Time by Lynn Kurland
This is perhaps my favorite time travel romance EVER! And that is saying something. Oh James MacLeod and Elizabeth! I can't decide if it is my favorite because of all the rest of the books in the series that feature these two so prominently or just that this book is the first time travel romance I ever read. Who cares, it is great!
I love James (or Jamie as some call him :) and his complete inability to deal with a woman, I love Jesse and Megan (but they had some of the saddest/most touching moments too), I love Ian, pretty much all of it. And Jamie's response to time travel and his exposure to "future gear" is pretty hysterical.
This is perhaps my favorite time travel romance EVER! And that is saying something. Oh James MacLeod and Elizabeth! I can't decide if it is my favorite because of all the rest of the books in the series that feature these two so prominently or just that this book is the first time travel romance I ever read. Who cares, it is great!
I love James (or Jamie as some call him :) and his complete inability to deal with a woman, I love Jesse and Megan (but they had some of the saddest/most touching moments too), I love Ian, pretty much all of it. And Jamie's response to time travel and his exposure to "future gear" is pretty hysterical.
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