The Beloved One by Danielle Harmon
This is the second in the series, about the second oldest brother. This brother was supposed to have died in the Revolutionary War, but turns out he didn't! He was however tragically wounded. He was "rescued" by an American soldier and taken home to be cared for by his family. The way the MMC dealt with his injury and convalescence and how he dealt with his "death" were really interesting and moving. I have to say though, it was a touch more tragic/dramatic/overreact-ey than I like, but still really good.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
No. 86: The Wild One
The Wild One by Danielle Harmon
I read this book (and the rest of the series) on the recommendation of one of my favorite authors, Julia Quinn. She recommends good historical novels on her facebook page and this is the first time I have read one of her recommendations and I am glad I did!
This is the first in a series of 4 books about brothers, set in England right around the time of the revolutionary war. The eldest brother is a Duke and he has decided it is time his younger brothers settle down and get married. So he starts to meddle.
The Wild One is the third brother, he is an unrepentant rake and refuses to take anything seriously. His first selfless act is to intervene when highway men attack a coach. He is wounded but saves most of the passengers including a woman and her infant daughter. Turns out, it is his dead brother's fiancee and child! Shocking!
I don't think I have read many books where the romance is between a man and his brother's woman (for lack of a better term - she isn't really his widow since they never married. Also shocking!)
This book was good enough to convince me to read the rest of the series, so thanks Julia Quinn!!!
I read this book (and the rest of the series) on the recommendation of one of my favorite authors, Julia Quinn. She recommends good historical novels on her facebook page and this is the first time I have read one of her recommendations and I am glad I did!
This is the first in a series of 4 books about brothers, set in England right around the time of the revolutionary war. The eldest brother is a Duke and he has decided it is time his younger brothers settle down and get married. So he starts to meddle.
The Wild One is the third brother, he is an unrepentant rake and refuses to take anything seriously. His first selfless act is to intervene when highway men attack a coach. He is wounded but saves most of the passengers including a woman and her infant daughter. Turns out, it is his dead brother's fiancee and child! Shocking!
I don't think I have read many books where the romance is between a man and his brother's woman (for lack of a better term - she isn't really his widow since they never married. Also shocking!)
This book was good enough to convince me to read the rest of the series, so thanks Julia Quinn!!!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Nos. 84 & 85: The Lunatic Cafe and Bloody Bones
By Laurell K Hamilton
Two more books in the Anita Blake vampire hunter series. I am liking the series more and more, although I am starting to feel for poor Anita, she cannot catch a break!
While I am reading these books, and talking about them I think that Charlain Harris (author of the Sookie Stackhouse series) is the author of these books, they have a very similar feel. Less sex (so far) but the world of Anita feels a lot like Sookies. In reality, however, the author is Laurell Hamilton who has the unfortunate distinction of writing my least favorite series of books ever - the Meredith Gentry fairy series! Weird.
Anyways, my library has most of this series so I think I will keep on reading until I either run out or start to have Meredity Gentry-ish feelings about it. Lets hope that doesn't happen!
Two more books in the Anita Blake vampire hunter series. I am liking the series more and more, although I am starting to feel for poor Anita, she cannot catch a break!
While I am reading these books, and talking about them I think that Charlain Harris (author of the Sookie Stackhouse series) is the author of these books, they have a very similar feel. Less sex (so far) but the world of Anita feels a lot like Sookies. In reality, however, the author is Laurell Hamilton who has the unfortunate distinction of writing my least favorite series of books ever - the Meredith Gentry fairy series! Weird.
Anyways, my library has most of this series so I think I will keep on reading until I either run out or start to have Meredity Gentry-ish feelings about it. Lets hope that doesn't happen!
No. 82: 1,000 White Women: The Journals of May Dodd
By Jim Fergussen
This book was unusual. I will admit that I checked it out from the library based solely on the title - kind of a weird one. The book is based on a secret (and fictional obviously) government program to appease and integrate the American Indians by sending them 1,000 white women to be brides. The tribe in question is a matrelinial society so their cheif thought that the best way to integragte them into the white American world would be to have their men marry and impregnante white women so their children would automatically be a part of their mother's world. Interesting concept I think, and based in part on real events - although no women were sent in real life!
Anyway, in this story, a group of women were collected (volunteers, prisoners and inmates at a mental institution - where the FMC May Dodd was found) and sent west to marry. The characters were really vivid, especially the women and their trials and misadventures were very interesting.
This book was unusual. I will admit that I checked it out from the library based solely on the title - kind of a weird one. The book is based on a secret (and fictional obviously) government program to appease and integrate the American Indians by sending them 1,000 white women to be brides. The tribe in question is a matrelinial society so their cheif thought that the best way to integragte them into the white American world would be to have their men marry and impregnante white women so their children would automatically be a part of their mother's world. Interesting concept I think, and based in part on real events - although no women were sent in real life!
Anyway, in this story, a group of women were collected (volunteers, prisoners and inmates at a mental institution - where the FMC May Dodd was found) and sent west to marry. The characters were really vivid, especially the women and their trials and misadventures were very interesting.
No. 83: Midnight in Austenland
by Shannon Hale
This book was AWESOME! I love Jane Austen, I love people who dress in period clothing, I would love to go to "Austenland" and I love the characters in this book. Love love love. So go read it immediately if you love these things too.
This book was AWESOME! I love Jane Austen, I love people who dress in period clothing, I would love to go to "Austenland" and I love the characters in this book. Love love love. So go read it immediately if you love these things too.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
No. 81: Wicked Business
By Janet Evanovich
This is the second book in the Lizzy and Diesel series. It was not as good as the first one, but good. And short!!! I read it in no time at all. Kind of disappointing considering it was like $13. I always love Diesel, but it seemed like I couldn't get into everyone because it was SO short! Although I will say that I have mixed feelings for Wulf now. So we will have to see what happens next.
This is the second book in the Lizzy and Diesel series. It was not as good as the first one, but good. And short!!! I read it in no time at all. Kind of disappointing considering it was like $13. I always love Diesel, but it seemed like I couldn't get into everyone because it was SO short! Although I will say that I have mixed feelings for Wulf now. So we will have to see what happens next.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Nos. 78-80: 50 Shades of Grey Series
By EL James
After dozens of people recommended this series to me, I felt compelled to use by birthday amazon gift cards to buy it. I was told, "if you liked Twilight you will LOVE this!" and the LOVE was literally in caps. And I did like Twilight, quite a bit if I am being honest. So I read them.
I have to confess, I am not a fan. I wanted to like Christian Grey - I even tried to picture him as Matt Bomer (of White Collar and Magic Mike fame) which initially totally worked for me. But, to my dismay, I found the book creepy and kind of gross when it should have been hot. And there is really no coming back from that. Creepy and gross is creepy and gross.
The second two were better, but not much. I am so disappointed!!! I have been waiting for a really awesome totally engrossing series a la Twilight. I guess I will have to keep looking!
After dozens of people recommended this series to me, I felt compelled to use by birthday amazon gift cards to buy it. I was told, "if you liked Twilight you will LOVE this!" and the LOVE was literally in caps. And I did like Twilight, quite a bit if I am being honest. So I read them.
I have to confess, I am not a fan. I wanted to like Christian Grey - I even tried to picture him as Matt Bomer (of White Collar and Magic Mike fame) which initially totally worked for me. But, to my dismay, I found the book creepy and kind of gross when it should have been hot. And there is really no coming back from that. Creepy and gross is creepy and gross.
The second two were better, but not much. I am so disappointed!!! I have been waiting for a really awesome totally engrossing series a la Twilight. I guess I will have to keep looking!
No. 77: A Secret Rage
By Charlaine Harris
This is the author of the Sookie Stackhouse books, but you would never know by reading it. There were no paranormal elements, no real romance, nothing vaguely Alexandar Skarsgardesque. And that is a real shame.
Honestly this is not my kind of book - I don't like serious and creepy and scary unless there is a lot of romance and Alexander Skarsgard to balance it out. And there was none to be found. I think I will stick to this authors vampire books and leave the more serious stuff to the more serious reader.
This is the author of the Sookie Stackhouse books, but you would never know by reading it. There were no paranormal elements, no real romance, nothing vaguely Alexandar Skarsgardesque. And that is a real shame.
Honestly this is not my kind of book - I don't like serious and creepy and scary unless there is a lot of romance and Alexander Skarsgard to balance it out. And there was none to be found. I think I will stick to this authors vampire books and leave the more serious stuff to the more serious reader.
Friday, July 6, 2012
No. 76: Chasing Fire
By Nora Roberts
I have been so disappointed by Nora Roberts recent new books, I didn't even read this when it first came out last year. I didn't even care. But when I saw it at the library I knew I couldn't resist Nora forever. I always give in.
This was much less disappointing than I was expecting. I had no independent knowledge of smoke jumpers prior to reading, so it was definitely interesting. Although, it sounds pretty horrible, I don't understand why anyone would do it. That aside, the main characters were interesting and their relationship was kind of sweet and funny.
There were a few too many fire fighting scenes but that is acceptable. What is unacceptable is that I predicted who the bad guy was right away. Nora needs to step up her game.
I have been so disappointed by Nora Roberts recent new books, I didn't even read this when it first came out last year. I didn't even care. But when I saw it at the library I knew I couldn't resist Nora forever. I always give in.
This was much less disappointing than I was expecting. I had no independent knowledge of smoke jumpers prior to reading, so it was definitely interesting. Although, it sounds pretty horrible, I don't understand why anyone would do it. That aside, the main characters were interesting and their relationship was kind of sweet and funny.
There were a few too many fire fighting scenes but that is acceptable. What is unacceptable is that I predicted who the bad guy was right away. Nora needs to step up her game.
Nos. 74&75: Guilty Pleasures and The Laughing Corpse
By Laurell K Hamilton
The Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series was recommended to me by my favorite security guard at Social Security. Although I have previously read (and hated) another series by this author, I was willing to risk it based on Yomara's rave reviews.
So I read the first two in the series and I am as yet undecided. I sort of like it, but I fear I am not as in to the whole paranormal thing as I ought to be. I am willing to read a few more until I can make up my mind one way or the other.
On the plus side, I like that the FMC is kind of a bad ass. It makes me want to work out more because I am pretty sure any vampire would kick my butt.
The Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series was recommended to me by my favorite security guard at Social Security. Although I have previously read (and hated) another series by this author, I was willing to risk it based on Yomara's rave reviews.
So I read the first two in the series and I am as yet undecided. I sort of like it, but I fear I am not as in to the whole paranormal thing as I ought to be. I am willing to read a few more until I can make up my mind one way or the other.
On the plus side, I like that the FMC is kind of a bad ass. It makes me want to work out more because I am pretty sure any vampire would kick my butt.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Nos. 72-74: McKettrick Brothers Series
High Country Bride
Secondhand Bride
Shotgun Bride
McKettricks Bride
By Linda Lael Miller
I have been watching the worlds longest documentary on Netflix called The West, and it put me in a western-ey mood. So I looked through my bookshelf and this series seemed perfect. It is about 4 brothers who are in need of wives so that they can inherit their fathers ranch. I do like the series, but the FMCs tend to be a little irritating - they are so intent on being independent that they make lots of bad decisions. Not that the MMCs are better, they are high handed and non-stop jump to conclusions. But on the whole, it wasn't so annoying that I didn't want to read all 4 books in a row :)
Secondhand Bride
Shotgun Bride
McKettricks Bride
By Linda Lael Miller
I have been watching the worlds longest documentary on Netflix called The West, and it put me in a western-ey mood. So I looked through my bookshelf and this series seemed perfect. It is about 4 brothers who are in need of wives so that they can inherit their fathers ranch. I do like the series, but the FMCs tend to be a little irritating - they are so intent on being independent that they make lots of bad decisions. Not that the MMCs are better, they are high handed and non-stop jump to conclusions. But on the whole, it wasn't so annoying that I didn't want to read all 4 books in a row :)
Nos. 68-71: Akora Series
Castles in the Mist
Fountain of Dreams
Fountain of Secrets
Fountain of Fire
By Josie Litton
I have read this entire series years ago - I actually owned all of them in Iowa but Aaron cruelly made me get rid of most of my books when we moved to Alaska. Something about not being able to fit ourselves and hundreds of books in the jeep at the same time. Whatever.
Anyway, I do like this series, the idea of creating a whole civilization is very interesting. And I think the way the author blended the history of her fictional country - Akora - and the history of England is cool. I know there are more books in this series, and a related series involving Vikings which if I remember correctly is awesome. I do love Vikings. I will have to track those down!
Fountain of Dreams
Fountain of Secrets
Fountain of Fire
By Josie Litton
I have read this entire series years ago - I actually owned all of them in Iowa but Aaron cruelly made me get rid of most of my books when we moved to Alaska. Something about not being able to fit ourselves and hundreds of books in the jeep at the same time. Whatever.
Anyway, I do like this series, the idea of creating a whole civilization is very interesting. And I think the way the author blended the history of her fictional country - Akora - and the history of England is cool. I know there are more books in this series, and a related series involving Vikings which if I remember correctly is awesome. I do love Vikings. I will have to track those down!
No 67: Burning Lamp
Burning Lamp by Amanda Quick
This is an Arcane Society book, I think I have read others in this series, buy of I have, they didn't make an impression. This book did make an impression, but it wasn't a good one. I totally get that supernatural themes are "in" right now, and I have an increasing fondness/tolerance for them. But I could not get into this book at all. The MMC was sort of irritating, the FMC was sort of blah. I know for a fact that I have read other books by this author and liked them, but this series really isn't for me.
This is an Arcane Society book, I think I have read others in this series, buy of I have, they didn't make an impression. This book did make an impression, but it wasn't a good one. I totally get that supernatural themes are "in" right now, and I have an increasing fondness/tolerance for them. But I could not get into this book at all. The MMC was sort of irritating, the FMC was sort of blah. I know for a fact that I have read other books by this author and liked them, but this series really isn't for me.
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