What Happens in London by Julia Quinn is one of the few books I have read this year that made me smile from beginning to end. The only other book that made me laugh out loud more times than I could count was Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James. I am in absolute love with What Happens in London. This is the type of book you will hold close to your chest and give it a big hug because it has brought forth such pleasure. I can say that this may be one of best books Julia has ever written. For the longest time her 1997 historical romance, Everything and the Moon held that honor.
Why do I have such happiness for What Happens in London? Could it be I was enthralled from the very first page to the very last? Or perhaps this is the only book I can think of where I want to list line after line, scene after scene here because they are just too good not to mention? It takes amazing skill from an author to write such a book where a particular scene or a piece of dialogue shines in such a way that it cannot be compared to any other. Julia has done this with What Happens in London. Feeling out of sorts or need a good laugh? BUY THIS BOOK!
Sir Harry Valentine is the son of a drunk. Growing up, he watched his father stumble around and vomit more times than he could count. Harry was always there to clean up after him. He also had a Russian grandmother who hated the English language. So what if she married into an English family? That is not the point. Because she refused to speak English, Harry became fluent in Russian and other languages. Harry loved to learn and read. That was his way of escaping his boyhood traumas of a father who was an embarrassment and a mother who was indifferent. By the time Harry was a young man of nineteen, he joined the army even though he wanted to go off to college.
Luckily Harry survived into adulthood and found “dull” work, as he thinks of it, with the War Office as a translator. Harry works out of his office in his new home. Harry is being spied upon. Not by enemies of England or someone he may have insulted, or some secret group that the lords of the ton join in order to fight crime. Harry is being watched by his next door neighbor, Lady Olivia Bevelstoke. Harry wants his peace and it irks him that some English miss keeps watching him from her home. Soon he is sick of it and will confront her.
Olivia finds her new neighbor to be very odd. There are rumors that Harry Valentine killed his first wife, even though no one knows if he was married to begin with. Or perhaps it was a fiancé? All Olivia knows as she watches him from one of the windows of her home is that Harry works almost ten hours a day, sitting at his desk writing. He also wears dark clothes and strange hats. (Harry wore the strange hat because he knew Olivia was watching him) It is something a gentleman does not do! Olivia must figure out who this Harry is and why.
Harry and Olivia finally meet at the legendary Smythe-Smith musicale. And if you have read Julia’s past books, you know very well about the Smyth-Smith reputation. It is pretty much a running gag in most of her books. They both come to the conclusion they dislike each other and are so proud they were able to expression their mutual dislike. But this does not end things between them. Circumstances that they are allow Harry and Olivia to come in contact time and again and from there a wonderful relationship forms between the two. Harry at first is forced to keep an eye on Olivia because the Russian Prince Alexei Ivanovich Gomarovsky has taken a liking to Olivia. The War Office believes that Alexei may sympathize with the defeated Napoleon. Because Harry has such a command of the Russian language he will make sure that the prince is on the up and up.
Harry goes out of his way to let bygone be bygones with Olivia. He is already attracted to her in ways he cannot explain. Olivia is not afraid to speak her mind and admit things to Harry such as she likes to read the newspaper and enjoys talking about current events. Harry has no complaints and because Olivia is a smart young woman, his mission, if you can call it that, is one Harry is now so happy to take on. He and Olivia become friends. She asks him questions and he responds honestly, even though he keeps his knowledge of the Russian language a secret. These two share ideas. They talk. They communicate, and from that these two friends grow into bosom buddies. Harry doesn’t want Olivia around the prince or become too close with him because Harry wants her all to himself. And when Harry figures out he is in love with Olivia, it is a wonderous thing.
The explanation of why Harry has fallen hard for Olivia is beautiful. “He was going to marry her. It was that simple.” And why? It all comes down to the way she affects him from her beauty, because she read newspapers instead of novels that he prefers, to her razor-sharp, and most importantly her, “look of horrified befuddlement when he bested her.” Again the pro that Julia is explains everything to perfection.
What Happens in London is a quintessential love story that has so much more to recommend. This is a bit of a historical screwball comedy because of the way the characters act and think. Olivia has a habit of making lists in her head that will bring forth even more laughs. One such scene that had me in stitches was where Harry is at that musicale and he is annoyed that he finds Olivia so attractive. His reaction is priceless:
“And now he was officially disgusted with himself. He knew he shouldn’t have read that book of poetry before he gone out for the evening. And in French too. Damn language always made him randy.” Harry gets horny from reading French poetry!!
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Another such scene that had me holding my stomach because I was laughing so hard was when the Russian prince, Olivia and Harry are all in a room together. Harry is annoyed because the prince is one smooth fellow. Olivia wants prince Alexei to speak Russian to her because she is not familiar with the language. The beautiful words sprung from Alexei’s mouth anger Harry in so many ways:
“Say something more, “she urged. I can’t really hear the rhythm of the language from single- syllable words.”
“Very well,” the prince said. “Let me see…”
They waited patiently while he thought of something to say. After a few moments he spoke.
And Harry decided that he had never hated another human being as much as he hated Prince Alexei Gomarovsky of Russia.
What did you say?” Olivia asked with an expectant smile.
“Only that you are most beautiful than the oceans, sky and fog.”
Or, depending on the translation, I’m going to pump you until you scream.
I wish I could go on and on why What Happens in London had such an effect to this reader. Chapter after chapter is filled with such charm. The romance shines because of the engaging Harry and Olivia. Harry especially because of his endearing qualities and ability to love and allow this love to consume him in such a way he wants to spread it to all he comes in contact with.
And I failed to mention how Harry’s cousin Sebastian acts out a horrendous gothic novel to the delight of Olivia, Alexei, his bodyguard, and even the servants. Again another laugh out loud, not to be missed scene.
Delightful and amusing are only a few words to describe What Happens in London. (Avon)
Final Grade: An outstanding A
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
What Happens in London Book Review *Julia Quinn*
Monday, June 29, 2009
Bad Author Behavior From Alice Hoffman?
There is a possible case of bad author behavior afoot today. Galley Cat posted about Alice Hoffman's reaction to the review of her soon to be release book, The Story Sisters, she received from Boston Globe freelance critic, Roberta Silman.
KB Future Book Pimpage
I just can't stop with the book pimpage...
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Synopsis: Faced with the choice of torment or redemption, Jonah accepts the bargain laid out by his guardian angel as he lies dying in the street alone. Change…or die. Not a hard choice, it seems. But then he meets Lily and has to wonder just what he’s agreed to by accepting this new life. Even the angels call Lily unique—and she is. Born of a demon, but longing to be more, her one wish is granted—temporarily. But now her time is running out and she has an impossible task set before her. It doesn’t help that she can’t stop thinking of Jonah…or the very real demons that will come hunting her once they realize where she is. With demons and angels tracking their every move, Jonah and Lily have a life to save before they can save themselves.
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Synopsis:
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Synopsis:
That is Drake’s creed. A legend, a renegade, a ruthless, powerful enigma understood by no one and feared by all, Victor “Drake” Drakovich heads up a billion-dollar empire—and shows no mercy to the many enemies who would stop at nothing to destroy him. He is a man with no love and no weakness, until…
Grace Larsen takes Drake’s breath away the first time he sees her—and quickly becomes his obsession. Never before has he burned for someone the way he desires this hauntingly beautiful artist who is plagued by troubling dreams. He aches to possess her, to protect her, to carry her to new heights of sensuous arousal and rapturous release. And Grace cannot resist her all-consuming need for this dangerous man, surrendering to the inner voice that begs her to freely shed every inhibition.
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Ain't Too Proud To Bed by Susan Donovan. Coming November 3 from St. Martin's Press. *Looks like a cute read*
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Josie Sheenan collects failed relationships the way some women collect designer handbags. Now, at thirty-five, she has exactly one male in her life: her Labradoodle, Genghis. In fact Josie, along with the three very single women in her dog-walking group, has recently sworn off men, resigning herself to long walks in the park with her devoted, four-legged friend. All bets are off, however, when she meets Rick Rousseau, a pet-company CEO who is smart, sexy, and, best of all, head-over-heels for Josie. Even Genghis, an excellent judge of character, seems to know that Rick is the real deal. But just when Josie starts to think that she has found something more enduring than puppy love, she discovers that Rick has a complicated past—and a secret that could put the woman he loves in serious danger...
No synposis. *KB is sad there is no description*
Synopsis: Named for the angels, Los Angeles is a city of demons, a crucible of souls. It is Crimson City. Here vampires and werewolves vie for dominion, humans build soldiers of flesh and steel who seethe with fury. But alongside strife can be love--a love that cares nothing for species or origin.
Synopsis: Since half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her undead lover Bones met six years ago, they've fought against the rogue undead, battled a vengeful Master vampire, and pledged their devotion with a blood bond. Now it's time for a vacation. But their hopes for a perfect Paris holiday are dashed when Cat awakes one night in terror. She's having visions of a vampire named Gregor who's more powerful than Bones and has ties to her past that even Cat herself didn't know about.
Gregor believes Cat is his and he won't stop until he has her. As the battle begins between the vamp who haunts her nightmares and the one who has her heart, only Cat can break Gregor's hold over her. She'll need all the power she can summon in order to bring down the baddest bloodsucker she's ever faced ... even if getting that power will result in an early grave.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Start Me Up Book Review *Victoria Dahl*
Harlequin has a very good thing with Victoria Dahl as one of their authors. If you read Talk Me Down, you will come to the conclusion that Victoria is pushing the envelope in the stories she writes, especially her contemporaries. Where else have you read about a heroine who makes a living writing erotic romance and the small town sheriff she loves who blushes because he gets embarrassed easily? Talk Me Down was an easy, breezy sexy read and proves that someone can write a female character who is so proud to be sexual from the reading material she reads and writes to that mechanical toy she hides under her bed that can bring her so much pleasure, to the man she falls in love with who makes her put that toy away… well, until the next time her wants to use it one her.
In the case of Start Me Up, the heroine Lori Love (yes, that's her real name even though it does sound like a porn name) doesn’t need any special toys to, " start her up". I like to think of the title in regards to Lori getting her internal sex engine up and running. Lori was introduced as the heroine Molly Jennings's friend in Talk Me Down. Lori is the town mechanic of Tumble Creek, Colorado. Lori took over her father’s garage after her father died and loves to work on cars and has been doing so for ten years. Lori had dreams of travelling the world when she was younger, but now ten years later, those dreams have passed her by. Something is missing from her life. She is restless. She is also horny. Lori is a restless, horny woman who wants to get laid and have a no strings attached hot and heavy affair. The problem is Tumble Creek is really lacking in the men department. Think of Tumble Creek as a place where the old timers sit on a porch in their overall, chew tobacco, and reminisce about the good old days. Not much to choose from there.
But an eligible bachelor does arrive. Quinn Jennings, Molly’s nerdy but adorable brother is building a house in Tumble Creek. Lori and Quinn have known each other forever and Quinn is a bit too involved in his architectural work. He is the type of man who concentrates on something with every sense of his being on his work and doesn’t pay attention to what is happening around him. When Lori decides to go on the prowl for a man, Quinn is not even a possibility. The way Victoria introduces Quinn is, shall I say, asexual? The reason is because we see this from Lori’s view. Quinn comes across as clueless. There is nothing really to recommend about him.
Things quickly turn around when Lori wants a makeover. Nothing too drastic, but enough so Lori can look and feel girly. With Molly’s help, Lori buys some nice clothes. And it is great to see how Quinn responds to the new Lori. The clueless asexual nerd is no longer. What we have here is a red-blooded male who can appreciate a nice looking woman. And when Quinn finds out Lori wants sex and badly, he volunteers.
The joy in reading Start Me Up is Lori and Quinn’s attraction for one another and where it takes them. A woman can say she is only interested in the physical, but when a man like Quinn is great and inventive in bed, plus sly in his own way where he wants to emotional connection between them both, Lori has no choice but to succumb to Quinn’s charms. And Quinn is so very charming. The one scene that really tugged at my heart is when Quinn see Lori’s map in her old bedroom. She has marked all the places she wants to go to. That is the moment where Quinn has become truly smitten with Lori Love. He will try to make her dreams a reality. He takes her to a Spanish restaurant and gives her an incredible experience, from the food they eat to the romantic Spanish words he whispers into her ear, to one of the hottest sex scenes in the book where they have steamy, angry behind the restaurant sex.
Quinn is a bit too perfect. He is one great beta hero. Again, the word adorable comes to mind. When he finds out that Lori reads romances and erotica, he is very turned on and wants to act out those passages with Lori. (Be still my beating heart) And Quinn loves to call Lori by her full name- Lori Love. He says it like he is enjoying a fine wine. I think he even got off a few times thinking of her name. He allows Lori to lose all her inhibitions with him and doesn’t mind that he is essentially being used for sex. He quickly changes the rules and decides that Lori Love is going to keep him. He refuses to be cast aside.
Lori was a bit abrasive at first but as soon as she and Quinn start on their sexual odyssey she became a bit softer around the edges. Even though she was all for going with the flow, she was full of concerns, perhaps too much thinking on her part. I wanted to tell her to enjoy herself, it will all work out.
There is also a bit of drama inserted into the plot about someone trying to get Lori to sell her garage and a piece of land she owns. The person vandalizes her place of work and at one point she wonders if Quinn is involved in these underhanded deeds. I felt this took away from the overall enjoyment and added unneeded tension between Quinn and Lori. Also, Quinn becomes a bit too opinionated in regards to the life Lori has built and because Lori is afraid of having something great with Quinn, they have a big misunderstanding that blows up in their faces that leads to a separation between the two. I really didn’t like care for that. Sorry, not a big fan of a big blow up between the two lovers that leads to heartache, confusion and finally their discovery that they belong together.
Start Me Up will rev up your engines because Victoria can write great love scenes and characters you can enjoy reading about. Why not give Quinn, the studly erotica hero (as Lori calls him) and Quinn’s Lori Love, who he loves more than the buildings he creates a chance? (HQN, July)
Final Grade: B
Saturday, June 27, 2009
A Flash of Hex Book Review *Jes Battis*
A Flash of Hex is the second book from Jes Battis in her OSI series. OSI is the group of Occult Special Investigators and takes place in Vancouver, Canada. I didn’t read, Night Child, the first book in this new series, but A Flash of Hex brings the reader up to speed about everything going on in Tess Corday’s life. Tess is an OSI along with her best friend and roommate, Derrick Siegel. They work for Vancouver’s Mystical Crime Lab. I can’t help but compare Tess and Derrick’s relationship to that one of Will and Grace, but with a supernatural slant. Tess is Grace and Derrick is Will. And you know what? It really works! In so many past urban fantasies I have read, the heroine of the piece is all alone with no family or friends. She is stunted socially and has major issues. Tess does have some problems, mainly with her mother and a man she shouldn’t be involved with. A Flesh of Hex is heavy on the suspense and the shocking horror of the crimes committed, but there are some nice lighthearted moments. Jes Battis is one author you will want to keep on your radar, especially if you are in the mood for a different type or urban fantasy, with a great first person POV.
As Tess and Derrick are deciding on what type of doughnuts they want, when they are called to a crime scene that is very gory and disturbing. The victim is a young teenage boy who has been tortured and killed. He was also a drug user addicted to a very potent new drug called Hextacy. The victim’s mother is a very powerful mage who wants retribution for her only son’s death. Now Tess and Derrick are on a deadline to catch this killer before they strike again.
When such dark magic is used in horrendous ways, danger is around every corner. Tess has no choice but to turn to the mysterious necromancer, Lucian Agrado. Tess has been warned not to become too close to Lucian. A romantic relationship will not be tolerated between these two by Tess’s unseen bosses. But Jess has crossed that line already and she realizes she places herself and everyone she cares about in a bad situation if she continues to act on her desire for Lucian. Every time Tess is with Lucian, her internal arguments on why she shouldn’t do anything with him is funny. If I were in the same place, I would do the same because Lucian is one sexy guy with a great deal of power at his fingertips. And he sure does know how to use those hands in wonderful ways when it comes to Tess.
Along with Lucian and Miles Sedgewick, who is deaf, a profiler and a love interest for Derrick, Tess and her group enter into the underworld of dark magic, drug trafficking and drug use. Tess witnesses things she never thought possible, including more murders of young misunderstood teens, some who have incredible powers at their disposal. Not only is the stress of the case getting to Tess, she also has to deal with Mia, the vampire teen she and Derrick have taken into their home. Tess is not cut out to be a parent and can barely keep it together as she and Lucian continue to step around their attraction for one another. And her own mother has secrets. Becaus of these secrets, Jess doesn’t realize she may be closer to the killer than she thinks.
Jes Battis has written a wonderful book that mixes science and magic as well as mystery and suspense. A Flash of Hex has a bit of everything. There are pop culture references throughout and nice romance undertones between Tess and Lucian. Ms. Battis makes sure that Derrick gets a bit of love action also. I love the friendship between Tess and Derrick, especially when they talk about things other than the case. They have a great relationship that I wish I could read in other urban fantasies such as this one.
The crimes are horrible and the outcome even worse as some diabolical being is targeting teenage boys who are lost in the world. And when you find out why, you will be as shocked as Tess is.
There are so many urban fantasy books saturating the market that may be a bit too alike in their telling, but that is definitely not the case with Jes Battis. If you are a die hard urban fantasy enthusiast I urge you to pick up A Flash of Hex. (Ace)
Final Grade: B+
Friday, June 26, 2009
The E-book Wave and New Epublisher Quartet Press
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Those Beachy Reads
The NPR is trying to come up with a list of the best beach books ever and they are asking you for help. This year's list with be any fiction genre. Just leave your book picks in the comment section of the NPR page.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
This is How I Would Like To Remember Michael Jackson
The year was 1983. The place was the 25th year anniversary special of Motown Records. The song was Billie Jean and the dance that made Michael Jackson a legend.
Did you know this 5 minute routine was nominated for an Emmy?
A River Gushes Through It Part 2
Can anyone tell us the first romance where the term “cream” was used? Talk about an unfortunate trend starting.
Anyways, there is one author I can think off hand where the cream flows freely or that talk about flowing cream is mentioned. Erotic romance author Robin Schone loves to mention cream. I remember when reading The Lover I was shocked silly. Perhaps it is because it was the very first erotic book I ever read? (To think I was so tame in my reading up to a few years ago). But I must say it added flavor to the read. :P
If you notice more often the not, the clean up never happens. There have been more cases where after fluids are shared and the bucket of creamy love has been poured, the hero will clean his ladylove with some towel or what not and snuggle with her. I can’t help but wonder what the smell must be like even after the simple cleaning? Disgusting to ponder, but these questions must roll around in most romance book readers.
But Kmont, clean up is not necessary, especially in historical romance. The women smell like roses and the men like sandalwood. They create their own rose and sandalwood moisturizer. *now has a craving for peaches and cream yogurt for some reason*
Kmont: You’re craving peaches and cream yogurt? Oh my. I don’t think I could touch anything remotely creamy for a while after this. In fact, dry granola, toast, etc. only, pretty please.
The one book that comes immediately to mind for me is the infamous Passion by Lisa Valdez. We all know the one, even if you haven’t read it. It’s notorious for the couple having sex – very hot sex I might add – at the famous Crystal Palace exhibition in the first chapter. Behind a screen in a very crowded room. And she has a Super Womb that can flex and grow enough to receive his apparently enormous thunder from down under. And look, all the hero, a stranger mind you, has to do is touch the heroine and flowing arousal is instantly manifested:
Passion bit back a moan. His fingers gripped her shoulders. Her breasts ached, and she felt moisture on her thighs… (pg. 4)
He’d never felt anything like it; she was dripping onto his hand. (pg. 37)
So, now we have the vagina as a faucet. This doesn’t seem like a flattering euphemism, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
Oh, and Kate? The hero, Mark, drips, dribbles and spills just as much, if not more, than Passion does. These two need a lifeboat in case of bodily fluid overload emergencies.
As for how those people smelled in historical times. *gag* Sandalwood? Roses? It’s like imagining them as a walking, clothed bowl of potpourri. I hate potpourri. And look, how would you take it if the guy you were seeing only bathed once a week and made do with a scented whatever to hide the fact that he only bathed once a week? I’m not saying that’s exactly how it was, but we do know that people did not used to bath like we do now. *gag*
OK, so I think we’ve covered the issue of gushing fluids in romance, and how odd they can be at times. But we love romances and we obviously read romances with these references in them all the time. So naturally we must be just used to it, resigned to it, whatever. The fact is, it seems the cream is here to stay and it’s one of many common elements that we just overlook. Right? Sort of? Well, unless it’s to discuss it like we’re doing here. What do you think, Kate? Do we overlook the sometimes more ludicrous elements, like gushing cream on thighs, in order to enjoy the actual story? Or has it ever become too much, so much so that it works against the story?
KB: Heroines with Super Wombs and Heroes with fountains of exploding jizz? I think we have covered all the bases. I have to say that the majority of the books I read don’t have much gushing, unless it is erotica or erotic romance. So, I guess it would make sense that with Passion, cream is mentioned a few times. But it all comes down to the fantasy doesn’t it? What woman wouldn’t want a man who can make her start gushing on the drop of a hat and smell like wonderful potpourri, before, during and after hours of hot sex?
Wouldn’t this gushing and talk of cream be under the label of Purple Prose? I guess it all comes down what the reader prefers.
As for this reader, I prefer the use of cream only in my coffee, thank you. Hmm Coffee Mate Caramel Vanilla is so delicious.
KMont: Last word – promise. I’m not exactly sure I’d want a man who was able to make me gush anything at the drop of a hat. Cuz in my experience, guys aren’t mature enough to handle that kind of superpower (Trust me, all the ones I know love nothing more than to prank on their women folk.). Can you just imagine it? A “remote control” power of sorts for making a woman come? My god, the Family Guy episode we could have with that mess.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Perez Hilton Mock Video Video
A shot out to Lauren Dane for the heads up on Twitter!
The majority of us in blog land know about Perez Hilton and what went down with him and Black Eyed Peas member, Will.I.Am. Perez posted some sob, "woes is me" video on his blog about the drama.
Funny actor Breckin Meyer made his own mock video on Funny or Die.com in regards to the one Perez Hilton made.
The last 10 seconds is well worth it for the surpise cameo.
Branded By Fire Advance Review *Nalini Singh*
It is pretty much a given that Nalini Singh writes spectacular books. Her Psy/Changeling series is a very successful and beloved by her readers, and I am one of them. Her soon to be released, Branded by Fire (Psy/Changeling book #6) is no exception. Not only has she delivered another great action packed tale, but she raises the steam, as in the sexual dynamics between the two main characters. The majority of Nalini’s heroes are alpha males- hear them roar. Their women are tender fighters and their men feel the need to coddle them. But in Branded by Fire, Nalini has written a hero and heroine that are on equal footing. Mercy and Riley are both alphas and they must come to terms with their natures. These two want it their way or no way at all. And as these two continually butt heads with one another, their attraction and lust is smoldering. Branded by Fire is the most sexually charged book in this whole series. The first chapter says it all. Usually it takes a hundred pages or so before a love bird duo will act on their desires. Not Riley and Mercy. The hottest sex scene in this whole book is in the first twenty pages. And it is very satisfying indeed.
Because Branded by Fire is the sixth book in this futuristic, sci-fi romance all rolled into one, newcomers must go back to book one. Sorry, Branded by Fire is not a stand alone book. Things have been building up through the last few books where there is about to be an explosion dealing with every society Nalini has created. The Psy, the various Changeling creatures and Humans are all at war with one another. The world they live in together, side by side, is crumbling and unless they can come to a resolution there will be many causalities. No one is safe. And I have come to the conclusion that they cannot survive without the other. Things have become very complex and to explain everything would take too long to explain.
If you love reading strong, in your face characters, Nalini has accomplished that with Riley and Mercy. These two are a bit like Romeo and Juliet because Mercy is a leopard and Riley is a wolf. They are total opposites because a wolf and a leopard should not mate, but their need for one another defies all reason. And if they complete the mating bond, one must turn away from their pack and embrace their mate’s new one. Riley is a bit more understanding and is willing to sacrifice a part of himself to make Mercy happy. Mercy holds back and will only give Riley a small piece of herself, mainly though the physical attraction she has for Riley. Riley wants a no holds bar relationship with his kitty-cat and that means she must give him her heart and soul. Riley chases Mercy and tries to tire her to the point she will give in because he knows he is the only one who can tame her.
Now when I say Riley wants to tame Mercy, it is not meant as a negative. He wants to cherish her and protect her and also keep those sharp claws of her in check. He doesn’t mind a bit of pain when it comes to Mercy, (especially during sex because Riley enjoys when Mercy let’s go and scratches him) but because Mercy is skilled as a warrior, she doesn’t know how to give in a little to the other side, the one that needs a bit of TLC from such a man like Riley. And the scene towards the end where Mercy decides she needs Riley is everything the reader has been waiting for. Love is all about giving and taking and after Riley has inched his way into her heart, she finally has an epiphany.
Even though the Mercy and Riley’s relationship is very prominent there are other important things to take note of in Branded by Fire. Many past beloved characters make an appearance. We see a great deal of Sasha and Lucas and how they have grown together. Their happily ever after is everything you would imagine and Nalini gives them something so very special that made me smile and raises my fists in the air. Fans of Brenna and Judd will be also thrilled. Judd is still happily breaking furniture. And for those who wants Hawke’s story (he is Riley’s alpha of the Snowdancer pack) and Sienna’s (she is Judd’s Psy niece), you will not be disappointed. Nalini is slowly building the emotional bonds between these two. She makes Hawke and Sienna suffer. Hawke wants Sienna badly, but Sienna is still so young and confused. Sienna is destroying herself because of her feelings for Hawke and doesn’t know how to deal with them. They cannot continue to be around each other, but being apart is also painful. Nalini also throws a curve ball in their relationship because there is possibly someone waiting in the wings to take Sienna way from Hawke even before anything could happen between these two. And dare I mention one of the most mysterious and deadly characters of all in that of the Psy Kaleb? Again Nalini gives us just enough, a small peek as to what Kaleb has planned and what he hopes to accomplish. I have had my eye on Kaleb for a long time and I know Nalini must have a reason for making Kaleb an important part of this series. (I am a team Kaleb girl all the way and I am anxiously awaiting his own story.)
Branded by Fire left me wanting more and again cements my devotion to the writing talents of Nalini Singh. If there is one author you haven’t read and should, Nalini is one of them. (Berkley)
Final Grade: B+
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Drooling Can Be a Good Thing
For the Adults:
Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She’s determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary—even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.
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And why not one more...
Give Me a D-N-F!
When does it come to a point in a book where enough is enough and you put it down and it goes into the DNF pile? I used to read the first one-hundred pages. Now I try to read the first three chapters. In some cases a book will be lucky if I even reach that.
The reason I ask is because of a situation that happened to me last week. One of the agents I queried asked for the first five pages of my manuscript. I sent the five pages and when the agent got back to me she said the pages didn’t draw her in as much as she hoped. At first I couldn’t understand how the first five pages could tell someone if the book worked for them. I know agents are busy, etc… but why not at least read the first chapter?
I look back at the any books I have read and think to the first five pages and whether they were written well enough to keep me interesting in reading. There are some books that have a great opening and I think I will be in for a good time. But then I am mistaken. It is as if the author was counting on the first few pages to grab the reader and then failed to keep things lively throughout the story.
Three such books I tried to read that had well written first pages became DNFs because the author couldn’t hold my interest.
Book 1: Street Magic by Caitlin Kittridge. The first chapter which is the first 16 pages has great dialogue, buildup and action. By chapter three I was ready to put this book down. The heroine Pete is not very original. She comes across as every other urban fantasy heroine I have read in the past. The character of Jack, who uses magic and is a drug addict, was too annoying and I couldn’t form any sort of attachment to him. At one point I wanted him to be thrown off the London Bridge. (The setting is London, England). The only thing going for this book is the nice cover and author who has a built in fan base. (St. Martin's Press)
Final Grade: DNF
Book 2: Doomsday Can Wait by Lori Handeland. It's the dawn of the Apocalypse and only one woman can save the world! The heroine, Liz Phoenix is intriguing and I like her voice but again I found myself losing interest around chapter five. I think the problem with this read is that the storyline is not for me. Also, I am not a big fan of characters who shift into beasts and have sex with one other on some out of this world dream plane. (St. Martin's Press)
Final Grade: DNF
Book 3: If I had finished Desire Untamed by Pamela Palmer, I would have given it one of the lowest grades for a book this year. I can understand how some authors are tying to ride on the coat tails of Christine Feehan or J.R. Ward, but this book that tried to channel these well know authors, reads like bad fan fiction.
Give me a TigHE… VHyper… PaentHer… ZapHene… Foxx and Wulfe.
The heroine Kara, who has a normal sounding name, is a Radiant that all the men with animalistic names must have! The Radiant is some sort of power source. Kara is sweet and innocent and a small town preschool teacher with a sick mother, who is not her mother. Kara has been lied to her whole life. The hero Lyon of no “H” in his name claims the Radiant. Mine! These Ferial warriors are manly and barely hold back their beasts. These men are fierce. The like their sex hard. They all live together in a big mansion hidden in the woods called the Feral House, the home of the Feral Warriors and their Radiant. There are many expensive cars in the driveway. Oh look a Hummer! This is not an eco-friendly book at all.
This is so not a book I would recommend to anybody. Pass. (June 30, Avon)
Final Grade: DNF
As a reader when do you throw in the towel? How long do you stick with a book before you just give up and move onto the next one? What was the last book you picked up that was given the dreaded DNF?
Monday, June 22, 2009
Bound by Your Touch Advance Review *Meredith Duran*
I have read so many great historical romances this year that have broken the mold. One author who amazes me with her writing is Meredith Duran. Her first book Duke of Shadows was one of my favorite books from last year and one of my new favorite new authors to read. When an author has such a hit with their first book, there are some reservations on whether they can do the same with their sophomore release. Meredith doesn’t have to worry. She is definitely not a one hit wonder author. Bound by Your Touch is a rich story in its description and the characters. Just as in Duke of Shadows, Meredith’s characters grow into better people by the time their tale ends. We, the reader, see them one way and watch as they evolve and learn. So is the case of Lydia Boyce and James Durham. Lydia is a learned, stiff upper lip spinster who releases a button or two from her bodice and turns into a butterfly just by knowing James. James becomes a better man because of Lydia. These two dance around each other to the point they have no choice but to meet in the middle. And when they come to the conclusion they are perfect for one another, it is a very nice thing indeed.
Lydia Boyce is a spinster who is firmly on the shelf at twenty-six, not that she minds all that much. She loved a man once, but he played with her heart and ended up marrying her sister instead. With Lydia’s father in Egypt finding priceless artifacts, she is the matriarch of her family. She wishes she could be in Egypt with her father, but has a great deal of responsibility in England. Lydia must find funding for the Egypt Exploration Fund which will enable her father to continue his excavations. But things go badly when her father is accused of trading fraudulent pieces.
James Durham, the Viscount of Sanburne loves to shock people, especially his father. He loves to bet on horses, engage in boxing matches and is friends with some very undesirable people. He is a rogue and rake, but one who enjoys his reputation and seems to revile in it. He has a new target on his list and that is Lydia. He rudely interrupts her important talk at the Archaeological Institute where he wants to show his father a priceless artifact. Lydia knows it is a fake and after that James sets his sights on her. He is the tiger and she is the poor defenseless creature he will devour. He thinks his father and Lydia are in cahoots together to make him look like a fool. But then he finds out that her father may be a fraud. Lydia cannot believe her precious papa would do such a thing. She will get to the bottom of this. And because James enjoys annoying Lydia, he will join her in her search for the one responsible in discrediting her father.
There is no point in Lydia trying to investigate on her own. James won’t let her out of his sight. Soon these two team up together. James can’t help but show his appreciation toward Lydia, which confounds her greatly. She doesn’t understand her appeal and why James wants to show her all the intimacies she has been missing out on. She won’t allow herself to fall in love with James. James is the type of man who enjoys the hunt and he will try and make Lydia his willing prey because she will be his salvation
Bound by Your Touch is an intelligent and witty romance that needs to be in your must read pile of the year. The dialogue is crisp and lively and her characters are in a word, lovely.
James is like a naughty little boy who enjoys getting in trouble. Lydia is the complete opposite. When these two come together, it is too good for words. Talk about opposites attracting! The banter and interactions between James and Lydia brings this story alive.
Why not an example of this wonderful banter?
Lydia visits James wearing a veil:
“I do not seek to entertain you,” She said.
Yes, that much he’d guessed. He ran an eye down her figure. That spine of hers held her more rigidly upright than a backboard. What a queer, fierce duck she was! Her black hair was escaping its chignon; her gray skirts were muddied at the hem. Another woman might have armed herself before entering the lion's den- applied a bit of blush, or at least had a footman brush down her skirts. Then again, from what he’d seen of Miss Boyce, she did not stand in need of such commonplace armor. He took the seat opposite her. “Come to seduce me, then? I confess I’m hardly prepared for it. Barely combed my hair this morning.”
She eyed him with dispassionate thoroughness. “You look well enough.”
He was startled into a grin. “Do not flirt with me, Miss Boyce. I can’t bear it.”
… “A springer spaniel.” He said.
“I beg your pardon?”
“That’s the sort of puppy I’d peg you for.”
… “You are likening me to a dog?” She asked.
“I rather like dogs. And as dogs go, it’s certainly a charming breed,”
That one scene shows how charming James is and even though the description of Lydia may seem a bit insulting, it is actually the opposite. James has come to the conclusion that with Lydia, what you see is not what you get.
And as you turn each page you will come to see how they both find something special with one another that no one else can see. Another scene, which is my favorite in this whole book, is when Lydia and James are stuck up on a roof together. It leads to a very intimate and wonderful interaction between these two characters.
Bound by Your Touch exceeded all my expectations and more. I bow down to Meredith Duran and her expertise at writing a book that makes me want to read it all over again. (June 30, Pocket)
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Final Grade: A-
Saturday, June 20, 2009
RWA's Redheaded Stepchild: Epublishing
The picture above I “borrowed” from Teddy Pig is a perfect visual about the WTF situation regarding RWA and their stance on epublishing
The majority of those that visit my blog here or follow me on Twitter know I am very involved in the Romance Genre community. I am a big supporter of everything the romance community promotes and eventually I would like to break into the world of publishing via romance. As an aspiring author, the majority of the stories I am working on has a romance slant to it.
Some feel that writing is a very solitary experience, but there are a great amount of support systems out there such as writing groups and a network of individuals who want to help you succeed. The Romance Writers of America was started in 1981 to serve as a nonprofit trade association for romance writers.
The mission of RWA is simple:
To advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy. RWA works to support the efforts of its members to earn a living, to make a full-time career out of writing romance—or a part-time one that generously supplements his/her main income.
There are more than 10,000 romance writers and related industry professionals who are members. Some of these 10,000 members are not all published authors, but working towards their goal of becoming one. Last year I went to the annual RWA National conference where I was able to network and meet so many who love writing and the romance genre. This year I joined, mainly to have better access of events and information. Another reason was I would get a discount on this year’s conference and hotel room price. As you can see, I joined for various reasons.
I thought an organization, which was founded by a group to help both aspiring and accomplished authors, would welcome other avenues for a writer like myself to get published. The past few years RWA has come under fire because of their stance on the world of epublishing. For so long the only way for a writer to get published was with a mainstream print publishing house such as Penguin, Random House and Simon and Schuster among others. These are the NYC publishing houses that are the most desired by those, including yours truly.
But times are changing. There are other ways to accomplish your goals of getting published and making a living off your writing. This is where epublishing comes into play. But some still have a bias against epublishing as a whole and seem to only want to embrace tradition forms of publishing.
The president of RWA, Diane Pershing thinks that digital publishing is not the way to go and should not be embraced by RWA. Many authors who are members of RWA, as well as those who are not, have expressed displeasure about this.
Kensington author Jackie Barbosa has a perfect overview about this situation:
RWA made the decision this year not to allow any publisher that doesn’t pay a minimum advance (the threshhold being the $1,000 in advance/royalty required for entry into PAN, the organization’s Published Author Network) to take pitches or deliver session content at the National conference in July. These publishers are still welcome to send people to the conference (i.e., give RWA their money), but they are not permitted to actually disseminate information about what they have to offer in any meaningful or useful way.
Many other have responded such as Deidre Knight who is the founder of the Knight Agency and author of both mainstream print and ebooks. Earlier this week on ESPAN (Electronic and Small Press Authors’ Network) Deidre responds to Diane Pershing’s stance on epublishing and calls for change:
RWA’s current stance on e-books is that a publisher must offer at least a $1,000 advance in order to qualify for legitimacy. Never mind that many digital authors far exceed that amount in royalties, or sell more than 5,000 copies of print editions of their e-published titles. The problem with RWA’s simplistic criteria is that it ignores one crucial fact. Our industry is changing radically, with traditional publishers seeking innovative models for overhauling their distribution and content.
In part I believe Deidre is vocal about this matter because her very popular and amazingly written Butterfly Tattoo was sold to epublisher Samhain and not a more traditional mainstream press. (I have to get this out there, but I can’t help but wonder, if Deidre did not sell Butterfly Tattoo to an epub, would she be so vocal?) But regardless, her post brings up some good thoughts and questions that she wants answers to.
Diane Pershing responded to Deidre yesterday and her post on ESPAN was a bit of an, “open-mouth-insert foot” rebuttal.
Some highlights from the post you may find interesting and that made me shake my head:
Out of 400 workshop proposals this year, only two focused on digital publishing; one was deemed by the Workshop Committee to not be of the caliber needed, the other was by Deidre’s publisher, Samhain, which is not on the list of RWA Eligible Publishers (From RWA’s Policy and Procedure Manual, section 1.17. “Eligible Publisher” means a romance publisher that has verified to RWA in a form acceptable to RWA, that it: …..(3) provides advances of at least $1,000 for all books; and (4) pays all authors participating in an anthology an advance of at least $500).
KB: Who is this Workshop Committee who deemed that Samhain wasn’t the caliber needed? Samhain is one of the most successful epublisher out there! And I can’t wrap my head around why this $1,000 advance for a book is so important? Can someone explain this to me?
E-published authors are only one segment of RWA’s 10,000-member population. What of the huge majority that constitutes the rest of the membership? I stand by my original assertion that by governing in the interest of all its members and not the few, RWA is doing its fiduciary duty. …Each year members threaten to leave because they are displeased with something. Some do; most don’t. No organization can make everyone happy, but RWA goes on, no matter what.
KB: Oh well, you don’t like it, leave then. We have enough members to give us dues. So what if a few members leave? Take it of leave it! What if 90% of those 10,000 members left? Would RWA go on no matter what then?
The publishing industry is in a constant struggle to survive, authors’ numbers dip and rise and dip again; they are dropped, they are signed, and nothing is ever certain. This is why RWA must be a strong and loyal advocate for them. RWA believes it is crucial to stand firm in our conviction that an author has a right to guaranteed payment for her work.
KB: In between the lines written here, Pershing is saying that traditional ways of publishing, such as big named NY publishers are the way to go. Epublishing is the redheaded stepchild and in RWA’s eyes, it always will be.
I have taken some small excerpts from both Deidre and Diane’s stance on the epublishing issue. Everyone has their opinion and rightly so, but I can’t understand why an organization like RWA, who is supposed to be an advocate for writers, are so against other means for one to get published. As an author would you rather have a steady income with an epub or lucky enough to make ends me with a mainstream powerhouse NY publisher? Yay, you have the coveting NY Times bestseller label, but you barely have enough in an advance or sales to put food on the table. I am all for dreaming big and wishing for a six or seven figure book deal, but the world of epublishing allows you so much more. You can actually make a living publishing with an epublisher.
I am not sure now where I stand with RWA. They cannot make or break an author, nor do they have the power to go to a publisher and help an one join their roster of authors. What RWA has accomplished are ways for so many to come together and share ideas and make long lasting relationships. I will give them that at least.
RWA has been around for 28 years and it would be a shame if they vanished because they didn’t evolve and change with sign of the times. This is so very telling because for decades critics were telling the US car companies they better evolve or they will become like the dinosaurs, extinct. Those companies didn’t care or listen and look at them now.
This is the way I see it.
This Day in History: June 20
Today is Saturday, June 20, the 171st day of 2009. There are 194 days left in the year.
June 20, 1937:
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How much things cost in 1976:
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Friday, June 19, 2009
KB Future Book Pimpage
Here is another dose of must have future books that will break your bank account.
This has to be one of the best Samhain covers I have ever seen. Very tempting and has a hideously scarred hero *swoon*! Beauty Tempts the Beast by Leslie Dicken. Coming from Samhain Publishing in July.
Synopsis: Athough hideously scarred, the reclusive Lord Ashworth isn’t really the horrible monster he’s rumored to be… Or is he? Turning away all visitors, he keeps himself and his secrets isolated in his remote manor. But what will be the cost of one woman’s refusal to fear him? Vivian Suttley is running for her life. Having known true evil, she’s willing to brave the brooding viscount, certain that tales of the monster are just silly rumors. But is she really safe? Or has she just made the biggest mistake of her life?
Looks like a steamy one! Tortured by Amanda McIntyre coming from Harlequin Spice on August 1.
Synopsis: young woman blessed with “sight seeks vengeance against a tyrannical lord responsible for her mother's murder. Forced to become an executioner's apprentice, she encounters a Roman prisoner who offers her a away to escape her prison and find a future. Torn between desire, duty, and the chance for revenge, her choice to live or die leaves her totured.
In the mood for a book with Gothic Historical Fantasy Paranormal Romance with Horror and YA elements? The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber. Coming from Leisure on August 25.
Synopsis: What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death….
I have have much love for Laura Lee Guhrke and her Girl-Bachelor Chronicles. With Seduction in Mind coming from Avon on August 25.
Synopsis: Sebastian Grant is a successful, multi-published writer, but he can’t write. He’s got writer’s block. Daisy Merrick is a wanna-be writer, but she can’t get published. She’s been rejected. Lord Marlowe is the publisher who forces Sebastian and Daisy to work together, hoping they can help each other. That’s when the trouble starts, the sparks fly, and the seductions begin.
Interested in some mystery suspense? Drawn in Blood by Andrea Kane coming from William Morrow on September 8.
Synopsis: Former FBI Special Agent Sloane Burbank has seen her share of danger. She's faced down a serial killer and survived life-threatening injuries . . . but she never expected that danger to invade the lives of her family. Then her mother is viciously attacked in the posh Manhattan apartment her parents share and it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary robbery. The thieves were too clever, too knowledgeable, and so obviously after something of her father's. But what could a respected art dealer have done to merit such violence? When a mysterious message is left for him, Sloane knows her father's in over his head. Determined to find out the truth, Sloane discovers a deadly secret buried in his past that has made him the target of a power-hungry mobster with a lethal agenda and nothing to lose.
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For those who enjoy the darker side of YA. Devoured by Amanda Marrone. Coming from Simon Pulse in September.
Synopsis: Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a summer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed.
Considered yourself under the spell of the pimpage that is KB!
