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Showing posts with label guest review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guest review. Show all posts
Friday, May 10, 2013
Guest Review: Down London Road by Samantha Young
Today we welcome back Nena from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly review blog. She brings you today’s Guest Review of...
Down London Road
Author: Samantha Young
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: NAL Trade
On Dublin Street #2
ISBN: #978-0451419712
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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It has always been up to Johanna to care for her family, particularly her younger brother, Cole. With an absent father and a useless mother, she’s been making decisions based on what’s best for Cole for as long as she can remember. She even determines what men to date by how much they can provide for her brother and her, not on whatever sparks may—or may not—fly.
But with Cameron MacCabe, the attraction is undeniable. The sexy new bartender at work gives her butterflies every time she looks at him. And for once, Jo is tempted to put her needs first. Cam is just as obsessed with getting to know Jo, but her walls are too solid to let him get close enough to even try.
Then Cam moves into the flat below Jo’s, and their blistering connection becomes impossible to ignore. Especially since Cam is determined to uncover all of Jo’s secrets even if it means taking apart her defenses piece by piece.
What Nema is talking about:
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Samantha Young delivers a great stand -alone romance novel that is part of the On Dublin Street Series. Even though this book was a spin off her best-selling novel On Dublin Street, this novel stands on its own and will appeal to all Young's fans and new readers.
The Good: As a fan of On Dublin Street, I had great expectations for this book. Even though I loved the first book and I would have loved a sequel for it, I was very pleased with a spin-off of a minor character in book one. I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised when a character that I had no connection to, developed into a strong character with an interesting story to tell. Down London Road is a well written, character-driven novel. The romance is central to the plot but you are in for an emotional struggle. I even shed a tear or two.
The Bad: The plot is not complex but it had a little too many conflicts. I would have liked to see maybe two conflicts and see them be resolved slowly than seeing all the conflicts resolve on their own. The book could have had a very strong-female theme but the heroine left a few things up to fate and everything was tied up nicely. I thought was a little weak, but again, that didn't stop me from loving the story.
The Ugly: The interaction in between the characters from Down London Road and On Dublin Street seemed very forced to me. If you have not read On Dublin Street, you probably won't even notice, but for me, it felt unrealistic and flat. Given that this book was a spin off, I think the author felt force to please the old readers by giving little glimpses of the well-loved characters from On Dublin Street, but for me it was distracting and annoying. Every time they came into view, they stole the show for the lead couple in Down London Road.
Overall Down London Road is a quick read with a lot of chemistry. A great contemporary romance, full of sexual tension that will leave the reader wanting for more.
Nema’s Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the series:
Labels:
3.5 stars,
contemporary romance,
guest review,
NAL,
On Dublin Street,
Samantha Young
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1 comments
Monday, February 4, 2013
Guest Review: House Rules by Chloe Neill
Please welcome Wendy, who brings you today’s Guest Review of...
House Rules
Author: Chloe Neill
Release Date: Feb. 5, 2013
Publisher: NAL
Chicagoland Vampires #7
ISBN: #978-0451237101
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (352 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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In a city full of vampires, trouble never sleeps.
At the tender age of twenty-seven, Merit became a sword-wielding vampire. Since then, she’s become the protector of her House, watched Chicago nearly burn to the ground, and seen her Master fall and rise. Now she’ll see her mettle—and her metal—tested like never before.
It started with two . . . Two rogues vanishing without a trace. Someone is targeting Chicago’s vampires, and anyone could be next. With their house in peril, Merit and her Master, the centuries-old Ethan Sullivan, must race to stop the disappearances. But as they untangle a web of secret alliances and ancient evils, they realize their foe is more familiar, and more powerful, than they could have ever imagined.
What Wendy is talking about:
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As usual, there's a lot on our girl Merit's plate. We have a vampire serial killer on the loose at the same time Cadogan House prepares for the dissolution of its relationship with the Greenwich Presidium. Ethan's ex-girlfriend and Master vampire, Lacey, is in town, stirring up trouble between Merit and Ethan. Oh, and it's time for Merit decide whether or not to commit to the Red Guard.
I LOVE the direction that Merit and Ethan’s romance takes… They’re becoming a solid couple, able to handle issues, even big ones, without freaking out and breaking up. I like for my UF books to have a strong female protagonist and a male partner who believes in her and backs her up, no matter what and this is finally what we’re getting from this series.
Interestingly enough, much like its Master and Sentinel, Cadogan House seems to have found its footing. The GP presents a major challenge to the House, using trickery to lure away their Fairy Security and to attempt to pull their assets (including the actual house ) right out from under them. Ethan leads them as a team to work together to save their collective asses. (And besides, who wants to see poor, homeless vampires? It takes away a little of the mystique and glamour.)
This is the first of these books in a long time that I enjoyed from beginning to end. I feel like the series has finally settled down and found its groove. There was a much better balance in this book between romance and mystery, suspense and humor. Merit and Ethan just keep getting stronger as a couple. There's enough conflict between them to keep it interesting but not so much that it overwhelms the book and turns it into a vampire romance novel. (Not that I don't enjoy those too!) Can’t wait for the next one!
Wendy’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Guest Review: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
Today I would like to introduce to you one of my good friends, Nena. Recently, Nena started her own book blog, the good, the bad and the ugly, and I adore her quick and easy format for reviewing books. Please help me welcome Nena to That’s What I’m Talking About!
Hello readers! I'm very excited to stop by That’s What I’m Talking About and introduce myself and my book review blog.
First off, I have to tell you a little about myself, my favorite pastime is to get myself lost in a good story. Recommendations are a must for me as a reader, because I don't ever read book blurbs or synopses. I like to immerse myself into a story without any preconceived ideas, expectations or knowledge.
Over the summer I was given a book recommendation by a friend that knows what I like so I went ahead and bought it without thinking twice (buy-it-with-one-click compulsion, anyone?)
To say the least, I loved the book and when I went to search for more information about the author, I discovered the world of indie books. I had stayed away from self-published titles for a good reason but after reading that book, I knew there had to be more diamonds in the rough and I embarked myself on a quest to find them!
Goodreads is a great place to go and find treasures, but along with the gems I found, I came across a lot of not-so-precious rocks. The star rating proved to be flawed, and it quickly became meaningless to me. If I was going to read a book I wanted to know what were its strengths, what things could be improved, and ultimately I wanted to have a final statement of the book as a whole, so, the good, the bad and the ugly book review blog was born.
The good, the bad and the ugly blog has a simple format, and today I would like to share with you one of the best books I read this past summer.
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young was self-published on August 31, 2012, and it quickly made its way to the top on Amazon's best selling romance books, climbing ahead the Fifty Shades of Grey books which held the three top spots all summer. On Dublin Street surprised the publishing industry keeping the number one spot for 13 consecutive days. Needless to say a month later On Dublin Street was picked up by Penguin UK and New American Library (Penguin US).
I highly recommend this book to all romance novel readers and here is what the good, the bad and the ugly blog has to say about it:
The Good: Where to start? I only have praise for this book so be aware of that. This book is one of the best books I’ve read this year. Not only is the writing flawless but the plot and the character development are superb. Joss is an american girl with Scottish heritage living in Dublin, Scotland while trying to write a new chapter in her life. After a personal tragedy she finds herself with little options and no one to trust. Independent and career oriented, Joss is looking for company and a new place to live. Dublin Street may just be a little more than she’d expected.
The Bad: This book will leave you wanting for more, and you will have trouble finding another book that you want to read after this one. This romance novel has one main plot and while there was room for a subplot development, the story doesn't get complicated. I would consider this book a light but very enjoyable read.
The Ugly: Samantha Young announced a second book in this now-series that will be released in 2013. This book was originally written as a stand-alone, and I'm a little concerned about the pressure of a publishing house penning this as a two-book deal. However, if anyone can do it, it would be this author. I'm confident that Samantha Young's talent will impress us all by producing a remarkable sequel.
So there you have it, a simple, non-spoilerish review about a great book! Thank you Twimom227 for the spotlight!
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with my readers, Nena! If you’d like to hear more from Nena, you can find her:
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Guest Review: Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Ms. Liza Lou from Blogging by Liza. She brings you today’s Guest Review of...
Rescue My Heart
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: Nov. 6, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Animal Magnetism #3
ISBN: #978-0425255810
Genre: Contemporary
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley
About the book:
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She never wants a hero…
After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.
Holly learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, Adam is the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.
For Holly and Adam, each with their ghosts, a trek this desperate, this unpredictable, and this intimate, will have its share of risks—including opening their hearts one more time.
What Liza is talking about:
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I’m a huge Jill Shalvis fan! She has been an auto-buy author of mine for years and I couldn’t wait to read Rescue My Heart. I loved Rescue My Heart so much. It seems like I’d been waiting for Adam’s story forever, and can only say it was totally worth the wait. We’d seen Adam and Holly interact a bit in other books from the series and I always wondered if they didn’t have some sort of history. There was an amazing tension between them and I couldn’t wait to see what happened if they could spend more time together.
Holly is worried because her father has gone missing and she needs someone to help her track him down. Adam is her first choice for guides, as he has the best tracking skills of anyone she knows. Adam is more than willing to go look for Holly’s father, but he doesn’t want her to come with him. All these years later, Adam is just as attracted to Holly as when they were teens. He is in a bit of a bad place still following his last tour in Afghanistan. He is still having some issues with PTSD and really just wants to be left alone. Holly is determined to go with Adam no matter what he wants and makes sure she is included. Even after so many years apart, Adam and Holly have amazing chemistry together. They also can’t seem to keep their hands off of each other. Jill Shalvis writes some of the sexiest love scenes, and she totally delivers once again with the love scenes between Adam and Holly. Whether you love hot and steamy or sweet and tender, you will get your wish with this book.
I loved seeing how both Holly and Adam has grown and changed in their years apart, yet still loved one another just as much as they did many years ago. Not that either was quick to admit their true feelings. I also loved getting to spend time with Dell, Jade, Brady, and Lilah again. I’m a sucker for books in a series and love visiting with characters from prior books. While I loved all the books in this series, Rescue My Heart is my favorite of this series.
Liza’s Rating:
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Purchase Info:
Friday, September 7, 2012
Review: Showtime by Chloe Kayne
Joining VampBard for her review today, is her daughter, DramaTeen (DT...although she won't qualify for long...). DT is an undergraduate student of psychology, ultimately pursuing a doctoral degree in psychiatry. She likes to read for fun, but doesn't often get the opportunity.
Showtime
Author: Chloe Kayne
Release Date: Sept. 14, 2012 (expected)
Publisher: self-published
Marvelle Circus #1
ISBN: 9781300109
Genre: YA Historical Romance/Suspense
Format(s): according to the author’s website, the book will be available in hardcover, paperback & ebook
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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The grandeur of the traveling circus is at its peak in the early 1920s when sixteen-year-old Laila Vilonia is searching for an escape from her bleak future. Behind the gates of the legendary Marvelle Circus, she is thrust into a mysterious world she never knew existed—a paradise populated with outcasts. It’s in this glamorous new home that Laila sparks a controversial romance with notorious sideshow performer, "The Disappearing Man," and learns just how dangerous her new life can be.
Touring the picturesque eastern coast of America, Laila’s immersed in friendship, vaudeville, festivals, sequins, and serial killers. But behind the curtain, a sadistic plan is brewing that will crack the very foundation upon which she’s become so dependent.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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VB: As I was reading Showtime, by Chloe Kayne, I did like her use of language. The vocabulary was great for me – fed my linguistic side. The plot moved, and kept the reader interested in the story by providing the perfect amount of detail to propel the reader through the story. Until the end.
DT: I did like the vocabulary, but at times it was awkward. Sometimes she chose a big, impressive word when another, simpler word, would have worked. It was kind-of like an SAT study guide. I thought the story was really mysterious, so you'd want to keep reading to find out what happened. Ms. Kayne had GREAT timing for revealing facts! Additionally, Showtime kind of felt like a modernized period piece to me. There's pros and cons to that. It was relatable, but if you're searching for a good historical, this probably isn't for you.
VB: Showtime, to be followed by a sequel entitled Spotlight, was pretty awesome, albeit light in the romance department for my tastes, for ninety percent of the title. However, the ending totally ruined the story for me, leaving me wondering whether said ending went with this book or another. Oh, and I wondered where the three pages went that would have further expounded upon the climax of the story. While I read an ARC, there were multiple instances of inappropriate verb usage, and some homonym issues. I'm hoping these are covered in the final publication, however, and haven't factored into my rating.
DT: Yeah. I didn't run into any of that stuff. I totally disagree with you, Mom. I thought it was an awesome cliff-hanger, I wished I could just jump into the next book.
With those things covered, on with the show! Let's talk about the awesome characters Ms. Kayne created.
VB: Jodelle, who initially shunned our main character, Laila, ended quickly shifting into best friend role. I was a bit befuddled by her relationship with Ethan, however. We also saw a lot of James, who I thought would end up in a love triangle with Laila and Dex. Surprise! Didn't happen. We also had Dex's twin, Seth, as a minor character as well. I'm not quite sure what to think about Seth. We didn't really get to know him too well. Lastly, there's Vivan. I'm definitely not a fan of her girly games.
DT: I thought they were really good characters. Each of them, except Dex and Seth, were real-world people.
VB: Laila, our gutsy heroine, was pulled into the circus life to circumvent her horrible situation. She was being raised in a bordello, as her mom was a prostitute and her dad was committed to an asylum after a failed suicide attempt. When the circus opened near her town, Laila and a friend were outside the gates, and her friend was beaten to a pulp and nearly drown at the hands of others – thugs in their town – because she owed them money. This activity was what landed Laila in the circus, courtesy of their security team. While Laila lied about her guardian situation, she did have bouts of regret regarding leaving her mother, and she did wonder how her friend fared. After joining the circus, Laila managed to graduate high school and definitely had her situation improved with the position she received within the circus. To remain spoiler-free, watch Laila's situation evolve during the last quarter of Showtime. One thing to watch: she is kidnapped and quite heroic near the end of the book. However, the situation with her kidnappers confused me. I'm not sure whether she was simply beaten or whether she was raped. I really liked Laila as a character, and enjoyed watching her develop into a confident, self-assured young lady.
DT: I don't think she's raped! They only said they were GOING to rape her!
VB: Dex, the disappearing man from the sideshow, became Laila's love interest. Clouded by hearsay regarding his past, Dex was tender and sweet, as well as quite protective of Laila. It wasn't beyond him to beat someone up that threatened her. Dex and Laila had tension and heat between them, however, during this title, it remained a chaste relationship – not uncommon for 1918. There were places in which Ms. Kayne could have ramped up the heat, however, we're dealing with teens here, and I'm not quite sure readers would be comfortable with that.
DT: I would be comfortable with that. Then again, if this is a YA demographic, I don't really qualify. I really liked Dex and Laila's relationship. It's intense. Kinda like the Twilight books – I'm magically drawn to this person. But at the same time, I'm a bit tired of the dark, brooding character always being the compelling love interest. I'd like some more original traits.
VB: Over all, I'd have to say I enjoyed the roller coaster ride on which Ms. Kayne sent her readers during Showtime. The believable characters and great plot concept definitely kept my interest. P.S. - check out the author's pic on her website (the ABOUT tab)... to me, she looks like Kat vonD! Even my other teen, SpellingQueen, agreed with me!
DT: Agreed! I simply couldn't put this book down. I read it in, like, a night.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
DramaTeen's Rating:
Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Not available at this time. Check the author’s website for updates!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Review: Blackstone's Bride by Kate Moore
Please welcome Ang, who brings you today’s Guest Review of...
Blackstone's Bride
Author: Kate Moore
Release Date: Aug. 7, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN: #9780425250884
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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When the scandalous Lord Blackstone returns to London, fashionable ladies cast inviting glances his way and his friends celebrate his infamous exploits. No one guesses that the lurid tales of his harem and the famous painting of his voluptuous mistress are a cover for an honorable promise and a secret mission to stop a deadly foreign agent.
Only one woman remains unmoved by Blackstone's seductive ways. Banking heiress Violet Hammersley believes she has firm control over her passions and her life. That is, until her brother goes missing with a report vital to the British government--and the government puts Blackstone on the case. Now, if Violet wants to find her brother, she must work closely with the man who once broke her heart--without succumbing to the powerful impulse to fall for him again...
What Ang is talking about:
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Violet is the heiress to a banking fortune who's brother, Frank, has gone missing, and Blackstone has been hired by the government to find out why and where he went. He does this while posing as Violet’s fiancé, all of which is complicated by their past relationship and the way things dissolved between them. The tension between Violet and Blackstone is written extremely well, and the changes that take place in the relationship are written with a subtle hand, making it fun to read and experience with them.
A large part of the novel is spent clue-searching by Violet and Blackstone and trying to figure out who is the actual bad guy. However, because Violet is still very young in many ways, her impulsiveness and inability to see past the obvious, coupled with her outright cold treatment of Blackstone often left me wondering if she was going to blow her cover. Blackstone, on the other hand, with his life experience is all nobility and heart disguised as a rake who continually fights an internal battle between playing the role he has been given and giving into his heart. Both parts are well written and kept me page turning.
I did struggle, however, with the stiffness of the characters through the first 2/3 of the book. Even once they kiss each other, the battle and tension don't subside any and it wasn't until the couple decide to address their baggage and actually speak about the past that things begin running much smoother for them and for the case. This was a relief for me because the internal battles were starting to overshadow the story line.
I found this book to be a intriguing and fast paced read once I got pass the first two or three chapters which weighed things down a bit. I found the characters to be entertaining, if not a 100% believable, and the story line interesting, if not entirely plausible.
Despite its few flaws I think if you are looking for a quick poolside escape, that is about more than just a couple jumping into sex at every other page turn, you will enjoy this book, I did. (Not that you will be let down in the passion department--there are plenty of scenes for those that are looking for sex as well.)
Ang’s Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Review: A Lady Never Lies by Juliana Gray
Please welcome Ang, who brings you today’s Guest Review of...
A Lady Never Lies
Author: Juliana Gray
Release Date: Aug. 7, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Affairs by Moonlight #1
ISBN: #978-0425250921
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): Paperback (320 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Lady Alexandra Morley, an alluring widow, is desperate to devise a plan to reverse her fortunes. When fate lands her in the arms of Phineas "Finn" Burke, an attractive inventor, she despairs of ever getting what she needs...until they kiss.
Finn has always been impervious to the charms of the female species, intent only on perfecting his "horseless carriage" engine. He never dreamed he'd meet a woman like Alexandra, who is as stubborn as she is comely. Despite the brewing scandal, Finn longs to make Alexandra his wife, but he must first convince the maddening lady that their love is the only thing that matters
What Ang is talking about:
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A Lady Never Lies is a fun, witty and sensual romp in the Tuscan Country Side filled with memorable characters and interesting dialogue. Even the secondary characters were fun and memorable, which is a good thing since they are sure to be the main characters in upcoming novels. My one complaint is with the curse on the castle. The castle is almost a character in and of itself, and along with Giacomo and Morini, I felt like I needed their back stories (although, I've got a feeling the back story would likely be a novel in and of itself).
Despite the distractions, our main characters, Alexandra and Finn were completely engaging. The differences in their characters, backgrounds and personalities played off each other nicely, building a well written tension between them. I especially enjoyed the banter throughout the story, but I did struggle with Finn's scientific mind at times, especially when he often speaks of Alexandra’s menses. I'm sorry that simply isn't a term or a detailed conversation I want to read in a romance novel. I get that the author was playing up the Finn’s scientific mind and his natural concern in reference to those things but I found it off putting. It's like mentioning the wet spot in the bed after an especially romantic scene in a story, you just don't do it. Thankfully, Alexandra insures these conversations are short lived allowing us to to get back to meet of the story quickly.
I have to say what held my interest was not only the love story between Finn and Alexandra but also the self-discovery Alexandra finds herself apart of. As a young widow who married a much older man at a very early age, she really hasn't discovered who she is intellectually or sexually. The journey she takes in this novel is well written as she figures things out in reference to her relationship with Finn and her placement in the world around her.
Overall this is a fun escape and it was nice to read a historical romance placed somewhere other than England. I don't know that I'll put myself on any pre-order list to get the next two in the trilogy, but having experienced Ms. Gary's writing style, I definitively wouldn't pass them by should I stumble on them in a book store. If you like historical romance you'll likely enjoy this novel.
Ang’s Rating:
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Purchase Info:
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Review: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill
Please welcome Wendy, who brings you today’s Guest Review of...
Biting Cold
Author: Chloe Neill
Release Date: Aug. 7, 2012
Publisher: NAL
Chicagoland Vampires #6
ISBN: #978-0451237019
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (352 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago's vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye - and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined. And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing - among humans or nonhumans.
Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest to tail a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he'll stop at nothing to get the artifact for himself
No mercy allowed. No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on.
What Wendy is talking about:
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I have to say, this book was nothing like I expected. When Drink Deep left off it seemed like the next book had a really clear direction: 1. Ethan was alive, 2. He and Merit were going on a road trip, 3. They were going to track down and protect the Maleficium (big book of evil) and 4. Hopefully capture Merit's friend Mallory (who needs a serious "black magic" intervention). And don't get me wrong, most of those things occur but somehow all of it is wrapped up by approximately page 86! I thought we might get a little fun, maybe a little romance, but noooo.... Ethan and Merit fly (literally) back to Chicago and dive right back into a new supernatural mystery and the same political issues the books have dealt with for a while.
There are now two Seth Tate's (former evil Mayor of Chicago), one of whom is extra-evil and looking to dispense vigilante "justice" on the citizens of Chicagoland. While the vampires look for a way stop the evil twins they also have to manage the fall-out from Cadogan House's run-in with the Greenwich Presidium.
About halfway through the book, I admit, I nearly gave up. Ethan and Merit still weren't together and the book was bogged down with human and vampire politics (What will the GP do?! How will the new evil Mayor of Chicago come after Cadogan house?!). I was really starting to wonder if the over-arching stories were ever going to proceed. But... things took a turn for the better, I kept reading and was rewarded... finally!
I think fans of the series will breathe a big sigh of relief at a lot of the developments in this book. Merit has evolved into a strong character who takes care of herself and the people around her. Seeing her develop from whiny new vampire to true Sentinel of Cadogan House has been one of the pleasures of this series. In Biting Cold, Ethan finally learns to trust her skills and her instincts and it brings them together as lovers and partners. I can't wait for the next installment!
Wendy’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Review: Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas
Please welcome Ang, who brings you today’s Guest Review of...
Ravishing the Heiress
Author: Sherry Thomas
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Fitzhugh Trilogy #2
ISBN: #978-0425250877
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Millicent understands the terms of her arranged marriage all too well. She gets to be a Countess by marrying an impoverished Earl. And in return, the Earl Fitzhugh receives the benefit of her vast wealth, saving his family from bankruptcy. Because of her youth, they have agreed to wait eight years before consummating the marriage—and then, only to beget an heir. After which, they will lead separate lives.
It is a most sensible arrangement. Except for one little thing. Somehow Millie has fallen head over heels in love with her husband. Her husband, who has become her very best friend, but nothing more… Her husband, who plans to reunite with his childhood sweetheart, the beautiful and newly widowed Isabelle, as soon as he has honored the pact with his wife…
As the hour they truly become husband-and-wife draws near, both Millie and Fitzhugh must face the truth in their hearts. Has their pact bred only a great friendship—or has it, without either of them quite noticing, given rise to a great love?
What Ang is talking about:
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Anyone who has read any of my reviews knows I appreciate a good story line. I want a romance novel that is engaging, well written and beautiful. Very few of late have met my expectations, so Ravishing the Heiress was a wonderful surprise. It was insightful and fun, exploring difficult topics like a marriage of convenience and remaining true to oneself without becoming heavy and preachy. The use of an alternating timeline although frequently problematic in most novels was executed flawlessly in this one.
All the characters were memorable but revolved around Millie beautifully allowing her to be the standout. Her character is tender and vulnerable while remaining strong, passionate and quick-witted a perfect mix for a romantic heroin.
I also loved that Thomas allows us to get to really know the characters, helping us to understanding their struggles and mindset before throwing them into bed with one another. The reader is made to understand the self-sacrifice of the time and the struggle of doing what is expected verses what one desires in a well-written, almost lyrical way.
I have to agree with, All About Romance when they say "There are writers who can tell a great story, and writers who can tell a great story with beauty and artistry. Thomas is in the latter category, and her writing is, quite simply, a cut above.” She pulls you in on the first page and keeps you turning page after page until the end. I can't wait to share it with my friends.
Ang’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
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