Reading report
April 24, 2007 | Uncategorized
I’m continuing to make inroads into the TBR shelves. My Goal, of course, is to thin the ranks enough to justify buying more books. Have I mentioned there is a Barnes and Noble within walking distance? I try to avoid crossing their threshold because I’m not to be trusted in a bookstore. But sometimes I weaken.
First up was a Harlequin Superromance; Brenda Novak’s Stranger in Town , frankly I never got the title. But it doesn’t matter because the story is lovely. Yes, for any skeptics, it is category full of introspection and predictability. Which is exactly why fans like them. Superromance is part of the home and family line, the heroines are frequently older than the twenty-something stars of straight romance. There are usually children present as part of the equation. The story focuses on the heroine’s journey to true love. This particular title is part of a series Ms. Novak created set in Dundee, Idaho a small fictional town.
Next was a Samhain anthology, Caught by Cupid . The collection included three Valentine’s themed stories. Gwendolyn Cease’s Be Mine is the red-hot version of the classic friends to lovers tale. Bianca D’Arc’s Forever Valentine is erotic vampire love. Maya Banks Overheard is another take on the friends to lovers with the added spice of two friends conspiring to please one heroine.
Last was Jude Deveraux’s A Knight in Shining Armor. A time travel historical,which predates the famed Outlander. This book was urged on me by the charming proprietor of one of my favorite bookstores. She declared it one of her all time favorites. I’ve already admitted I’m not to be trusted inside a bookstore. Naturally I bought the book, but having read Ms. Deveraux before with indifferent results, the title lanquished for a few years. Ms. Deveraux writes well and is most likely intensely romantic, judging by her fans. But alas her story choices fail to connect with me. There’s way too much detail of day to day events that fails to charm me because I’m not engaged with her characters. But this boils down to personal preference and is not a reflection of her story telling ability. I don’t care for Hemmingway either.
When both Hunter and Tru bond with Amber their mating triangle threatens everything they hold dear.
Determined to help rescue the princess, Cassandra agrees to act as the dragons’ sex slave, but can she guard her heart from the dominant males?
Camille, a plump, sweet-natured breeder, is caught in New Eden’s endless war with Baldor. Her mates, Jaxon and Aegis, need cunning and courage to rescue her. They need a miracle to capture her heart.
Werewolf-whisper Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs will eclipse his claim on her heart. But if he fails, they'll both die.
A Scarlet Past, the story of Scarlet's parents is available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble for just 99 cents!
A lonely woman finds passion with a dominant much younger lover, when she tries to leave she learns her new master plays for keeps.
The Enyo Chronicles includes both Dalia's Choice and Joon's Tempation.
Three different stories, three dangerous men, and three women who deserve them.
One dangerous warrior woman plus two rogue demon males equals a love to threaten an empire.
Getting paid to watch Eduardo is Desiree’s dream assignment, but when he reaches out to her, crossing the line, everything changes.
Deep in her secret heart, she lusts for a sexy pirate who’d be her master and commander in the bedroom. But, this man may be too dangerous
One woman, two men, three wounded hearts--though already mated their love is still forbidden.
A reluctant reporter and a lone wolf undercover cop work to catch an extortionist, finding love requires the most dangerous risk of all.
Street-smart cop plays princess to catch deadly terrorists. Now,the only man she trusts is the one she can't resist.
What Sam doesn’t know may kill him--the love of his life is his worst nightmare--his enemy’s daughter.r.
April 25th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Read the soft cover copy of Knight in Shining Armor – this is the apology copy for the pitiful hardcover rendition. It’s sixty pages longer and much better.
April 25th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Dear TJ,
That was the edition I read. Sadly, I am never going to be one of Ms. Deveraux’s millions of fans.
I like historicals. I adore Georgette Heyer, Judith McNaught, Johanna Linsey,and Loretta Chase. I could add dozens of beloved historical romance authors to this short list.
But my point remains the same. In Ms. Deveraux’s case her characters fail to engage me. Obviously, she connects fine with other readers. My charming bookstore proprietor is a case in point.