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Showing posts with label Lonesome Way Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lonesome Way Series. Show all posts
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Guest Review: Larkspur Road by Jill Gregory
Please welcome Angela, who brings you today’s Guest Review of... Larkspur Road
Author: Jill Gregory
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Berkeley Sensation
Lonesome Way #2
ISBN: #978-0425250891
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Fifth grade teacher Mia Quinn expected a tranquil summer in her hometown of Lonesome Way, Montana, sewing for her quilting group’s exhibition fundraiser and caring for her rescued dog, Samson. But all her plans for a relaxing break are thrown out the window when Travis Tanner—the boy who broke her heart in high school—returns to town with his ten year old adopted step-son.
A former FBI agent, the boy Mia once knew is now well over six feet of male muscle—and he still has the power to make Mia lose her train of thought with just a glance. When Travis asks her to tutor his troubled son, Mia quickly discovers that the sparks between them are hotter than ever. As danger comes to Lonesome Way and family secrets come to light, will Travis and Mia realize that love can be even better the second time around?
What Ang’s talking about:
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I had some concerns going into this novel, the first being that it was part of a series. Despite having read the first book in the series, Sage Creek, I was worried that I would be distracted or worse yet, frustrated trying to remember enough details from the last book to make sense of this one. Fortunately, neither proved to be an issue. Although both novels are connected by place and characters, Gregory does a wonderful job of giving us just enough back ground that if you have not read Sage Creek, you won’t be lost. In fact, if I hadn’t known and already read the first novel, I still would have enjoyed this one and in my opinion, so will any other reader.
Larkspur Road is a delightful distraction and perfect read as we come into summer. It is a fantastic fit for your beach or pool bag with just enough meat that you will want to continue to the end. When I first sat down and opened the book, I was concerned there wouldn’t be enough story to carry it the full length of the book. I mean how much can happen when we are told at the outset about the history between Mia and Travis and the level of pinning both have been doing for the other? On some level we know they will have to get together, no one pines for their high school sweetheart for that many years in a romance novel and doesn’t get together in the end. The mechanism to allow them to get together comes far too easily in Travis’s ten year old son, Grady, needs a tutor, so again how much story can there be? But Gregory surprised me again here by making Travis and Mia’s love story the back drop for a variety of other things going on in Lonesome Way, Montana. By taking the focus off the love story she weaves us two stories: one of forgiveness and redemption in the story of great Aunt Winny and her sister, Mia’s grandma, Alicia and two, the coming of age story where Mia’s teenage niece, Sam learns to trust those that love her even with difficult and scary information. Both beautifully mimic the same themes going on between Travis and Mia. There are just enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages, but not so many that you can’t keep the story lines straight. All add to the main love story between Mia and Travis.
In addition to the well told stories, the settings are described beautifully allowing you picture yourself surrounded by the mountains and other beauty of Montana. The relationships between the town’s people and the Tanner family are great back drop for the story line and add to the small town feeling you get throughout the novel and series. All in all this is a fun read that deals with a couple of tough topics without taking away from the feeling of escape I often look for in a good romance novel. It is cheery and light hearted where it should be, leaves you holding your breath with suspense in the right spots and wraps all the ends up while giving you just enough information at the end to let you know that there is another romp in Lonesome Way, Montana coming soon. If you want a book with realistic characters, a page turning plot line and the perfect amount of seduction, pick up Larkspur Road by Jill Gregory.
Ang’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Books in the Series:
Labels:
Monday, May 21, 2012
Review: Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh
Tangle of Need
Author: Nalini Singh
Release Date: May 29, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Psy/Changeling #11
ISBN: #978-0425247563
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Hardcover (432 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Adria, wolf changeling and resilient soldier, has made a break with the past—one as unpredictable in love as it was in war. Now comes a new territory, and a devastating new complication: Riaz, a SnowDancer lieutenant already sworn to a desperate woman who belongs to another.
For Riaz, the primal attraction he feels for Adria is a staggering betrayal. For Adria, his dangerous lone-wolf appeal is beyond sexual. It consumes her. It terrifies her. It threatens to undermine everything she has built of her new life. But fighting their wild compulsion toward one another proves a losing battle.
Their coming together is an inferno…and a melding of two wounded souls who promise each other no commitment, no ties, no bonds. Only pleasure. Too late, they realize that they have more to lose than they ever imagined. Drawn into a cataclysmic Psy war that may alter the fate of the world itself, they must make a decision that might just break them both.
What I’m talking about:
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Much to my delight, for the third straight book, Ms. Singh focuses attention on the SnowDancer pack, a wolf-changeling pack that is one of the two powerhouses of the western US (the other is the DarkRiver Leopard pack). Tangle of Need opens a short time after the explosive (literally) conclusion of the previous book, Kiss of Snow. Two wolves that have been in the peripheral are now thrust into the spotlight. Riaz is a lone wolf, who has recently returned to the home den. Likewise, Adria has also recently return home after a failed relationship left her a bit broken. The two are both dominate wolves and have a tough time getting along. However, their fiery attraction cannot be denied!
Overall, Riaz and Adria have a wonderful Changeling courtship. Their volatile nature leaves them alternating between lust and frustration, desire and denial. Right from early on, their exchanges are smart and sensual, and always full of passion. At times there is so much sexual tension and simultaneously anger between them that I could feel the tension internally. I actually wanted to cower from the display of dominance. Ms. Singh understands these feelings so well and is a master at conveying it on the page.
Even with the excitement and fervor, I had a tough time connecting with Riaz and Adria and the story in general. There is a lot that is going on in this book. First - major sections of the story are focused on newly mated SnowDancer leader, Hawke and his dangerous X-Psy, Sienna. I enjoyed their story immensely (Kiss of Snow), but their “intrusion” into this book fell flat for me. I felt that there was too much attention on this couple that just had a whole book. And while some of the passages are interesting or sexy, several are not necessary for moving the overall plot forward, and reading them drained me. And while it is good "slice of life" story telling, I just didn’t feel the heat between them like I did in the previous book. Several times I almost wanted to skip their sections and get on with the story.
Another factor that I felt kept me from connecting was the introduction (or re-introduction) of MANY new characters. There are so many new names and it was overwhelming trying to keep track of who is who (there is a handy glossary in the front of the book, though). Not only does the reader need to focus on several new SnowDancers, there is a new Changeling pack introduced, the Human Alliance rears its head again, and of course there are all of the Psy the reader must keep straight. In addition, there are a few times when the Changelings go over logistics for training, security, etc. and I felt completely lost.
I question the introduction of the water-based Changeling pack, BlackSea. They contacted SnowDancer to form an alliance. Meetings are conducted, and the reader is only mildly informed of the on-going situation. What really frustrated me is that in the end (of the negotiations), we are told the SnowDancers discovered the reasons why BlackSea reached out (after being secluded for a long time), but the reasons are never made clear to the reader. I felt this side-story wasn’t well developed and gave the book almost a “transition” feel to it.
Although I had a difficult time connecting to the story, there are many gems within Tangle of Need. One side storyline involves my favorite couple, Mercy and Riley. Another is a short dialogue between the Psy twin sisters, Amara and Ashaya in which Amara questions her own mental stability. The scenes with Psy counselor Kaleb Krychek and the Psy Arrow squad are interesting, slightly revealing and leave you wanting to know so much more.
As the book progressed and Riaz and Adria move forward in their relationship, I did become more attached to the couple and story. But it did take over two-thirds of the book to get there. And even after you think that they are going to make it, both have to confront their past in order to move forward. I will admit, I was dreading that part of the book, but Ms. Singh’s handling was nothing cliche or contrived.
After it was all said and done, I struggled a bit with the rating for this book. In the end, I liked it. Adria and Riaz are a great couple, and I love how hard he fights for her and them. I love the moment when she realizes her future is in her own hands. But it took a long time to get there. The book is filled with new characters, or peripheral ones that now have more book time. It is filled with a lot of political maneuvering. It is filled with a lot about Sienna and Hawke. There was a lot of jumping around, and I just couldn't focus and develop an attachment to the primary couple and story for a long time.
In the end I am giving Tangle of Need a B+. It is a good story and there is a lot of development in the Psy wars. I am excited to see what will happen next (especially with how the book ended!) Maybe in time, with a reread, I may bump to an A-, because after all, it is Psy/Changeling... I adore this series and really, there is never a bad story. The passion found in the wolf pack is sensual and although it took a while to find me, it was still there.
My Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
Books in the Series:
SLAVE TO SENSATION
VISIONS OF HEAT
CARESSED BY ICE
MINE TO POSSESS
HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE
BRANDED BY FIRE
BLAZE OF MEMORY
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Review: Sage Creek
Sage CreekAuthor: Jill Gregory
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
ISBN: #978-0425244470
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book: |
After her marriage falls apart, catering whiz Sophie McPhee returns to the Good Luck ranch in her hometown of Lonesome Way, planning to steer clear of men and focus on her new bakery, A Bun in the Oven. But she doesn't expect to see bad-boy Rafe Tanner -- her first crush (and her best friend's brother), now a single father running his family's ranch. But is Rafe a changed man?
Rafe hasn't seen Sophie since she was his little sister's pesky best friend, and he's stunned to discover she's grown into an irresistibly beautiful woman. But Rafe has been hurt too. Though they both have their guards up, Rafe and Sophie seem to melt in each other's company. Can they finally admit that home is truly where the heart is?
What Ang is talking about: |
I read this book not knowing it was a part of a series and must admit that I was disappointed to learn there was more to come from Montana, not because the story or characters were bad but because I felt like it took away from the story of Sophie and Rafe. I felt like the author was taking a wonderful stand alone novel and tacking a few extra paragraphs on the end of it to turn it into a series and continue selling books and that disappointed me given the strength of Sage Creek.
This book was fun filled with rich descriptions right from the get go. The Montana back drop was a stunning and perfect back drop for this story of loss, love and learning to let go in order to find love again. As a woman who has lived through divorce and betrayal I felt like Gregory captured the heartbreak, confusion, self discovery, rebuilding and healing of loss, divorce and relationships as a whole beautifully in the characters of Sophie and Rafe. The other characters, with the exception of Crenshaw, added lovely layers to the story. I found the themes of forgiveness, learning to trust one’s self and learning when to follow one’s heart and when to follow ones head to be consistent throughout the book and the various characters from Sophie and Rafe to Ivy and Diana all of which wove a beautiful tapestry of home and heart.
My complaints are few but I did feel like the story of Crenshaw was unnecessary at best. Although he provided occasional color and some great hero opportunities for Rafe he did little to add to the actual story line and only stirred up a hornets’ nest of issues that will need to be resolved in other books. This is perfect I suppose for further books but since I was reading it without realizing there were more stories to come I found it to be distracting. I felt the same way about the way Tanner and Mia’s baggage was tacked on to the end of chapter twenty-eight, it took away from the moment and distracted me from the happily ever after that was beginning.
All that being said I would recommend this to a friend. I found the characters to fun, the story line to be entertaining, the scenery breathtaking and the romance sweet and spicy all at the same time. All of which make for a lovely distraction on a rainy afternoon. I would, however, tell anyone considering a read of Sage Creek to be forewarned, if you are looking for a novel that stands alone stop at the end of chapter twenty-seven if you are looking to start a series keep reading until the end.
Until next time Happy Reading!
Ang’s Rating: |
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Purchase Information:
Sage Creek (Lonesome Way)
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