Book Review: Wait For Me

Author: Mary Kay McComas
Title: Wait For Me
Publisher: Open Road Publishing
Publish Date: Nov 20, 2012
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: NetGalley
Book Blurb: 

Destinies collide when two strangers find love in a moment of chaos

Holly is navigating a crowded Los Angeles International Airport terminal when the earthquake hits. Dazed, she fails to notice the ceiling crumbling above her. But in one swift motion, a stranger tackles her, saving her from certain death as tons of debris crash only feet from where they fall, locked in an embrace. Drawn together in a split second, Holly and Oliver find a bond they never could have expected. Can the love built in a single, dramatic moment really be the result of a passion that has spanned many lifetimes?

Review: I really wanted a lot more from this book, especially when it felt like something out of M.J. Rose's mind. If Holly and Oliver were lovers in the past, I wanted something to show that, other than the prologue.

The book read much like a Harlequin Romance with a touch of sex, somewhere in between the regular line or novels and the Presents line. This book was originally published by Loveswept, so the extra bits of lovemaking make sense.

Holly is so darn perfect. I mean she's just so darn nice. You almost don't like her because of it. I mean really, who is that freaking nice! It isn't normal!!!

The same can almost be said for Oliver, but he's a recovered bad boy. (A rich one at that) But again, you have to like him. He's kind. He would do anything for Holly. That's the kind of man, most of us want to find. Oh and he's unbelievably rich.

I found it hard to believe that this book was written in the 90s. I read romance in the 90s, and if it weren't for references to Roseanne Conner (from the tv show Roseanne) and trickle down economics....I'd think that this book were written in a much earlier time period.

I wish more, or really anything would have been done with the reincarnation theme that was hinted at in this book. It would have made it fantastic.

I did love Holly and Oliver's romance, even though some of it was really cliched, especially with the friend that was not a friend thing at the end.

A pleasant read to pass the time on a rainy afternoon.

Rating: 4 flowers

Retro Reads Romance Book Review: The Fatal Crown

Author: Ellen Jones
Title: The Fatal Crown
Publisher: Open Road
Publish Date: Jan 19, 2013
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

Against the seething political intrigues of twelfth-century Europe, two royal heirs will surrender to passion as they vie for the most glittering, treacherous prize of all: the English throne

At nine, Maud, an English princess, was sent to Germany to become the bride of the Holy Roman Emperor—a political alliance with a man her father’s age. At twenty-five, the widowed Maud must marry once again, this time to fourteen-year-old Geoffrey Plantagenet. But it is with Stephen of Blois, Maud’s fiercest rival for the British throne, that the headstrong princess discovers the true meaning of desire. Stephen, a descendant of William the Conqueror, believes absolutely in his God-given right to rule. Torn between his illicit passion for Maud and his own towering ambition, he knows he must choose. Stephen’s decision will wrench him from the arms of the woman he loves, ignite civil war, and lead to a shattering act of betrayal that, decades later, will come full circle and change the course of English history.

Review:  I love novels of the kings and queens of Europe. Maud is one that I haven't read much about. The Fatal Crown probably wouldn't have been the book I would have chosen to learn more about this remarkable lady.

Ellen Jones does a great job of bringing the period and characters to life, but she also added a fictional love affair between Maud and Stephen, which though it may or may not have happened, it just didn't feel right. I couldn't see the women, who was so learned, thanks to her first husband, Hennerick, that she would fall for Stephen, who was quite a womanizer and not even a very nice guy, though not quite as nasty and manipulative as her father, Henry I.

To me, a woman that would throw a country into civil war to gain the throne of England for 15 years, wouldn't have entered into an affair and acted like a giddy young girl. The love scenes are a bit much too.

However don't read this expecting a total romance, because that isn't what this book is. It is more a historical re-imaging. Not quite up to par with the greats, like Plaidy or Gregory, but definitely one that is entertaining if not somewhat lengthy. (550 pages made this book drag quite a bit).

Historical accuracy suffers a bit here and there, but for the most part, the story stays true to Maud's timeline. I wish she would have used Maud's escape in a coffin from her own capture. That would have added some excitement to the story.

A good read for those who love European historical fiction.

Rating: 4 flowers

Retro Reads Book Review: No Quarter Asked

Author: Janet Dailey
Title: No Quarter Asked
Publisher: Open Road
Publish Date: April 1, 2014
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

Janet Dailey wrote her first novel, No Quarter Asked in 1974 after her husband, Bill, urged her to back up her claim that she could write a better romance novel than the ones she had read. The book was accepted by Harlequin, which made her the category romance giant's first American author. She eventually wrote a total of 57 novels for Harlequin, including one set in every state of the Union. These later became known as "The Janet Dailey Americana Series." The Daileys were instrumental in forming the Silhouette romance fiction line, for which Janet wrote 12 more titles before entering the mass market field in 1979 with Touch the Wind, which marked her debut on the New York Times best seller list.

No Quarter Asked is the first of the Cord & Stacy Series which includes No Quarter Asked (1974), Fiesta San Antonio (1977) and For Bitter or Worse (1978).

Review: Janet Dailey is one of those authors every romance reader has heard about and probably read. I know I've read one or two or ten of her books. She was always good with the cowboy romances.

No Quarter Asked is her very first book for the Presents line. It was originally published in 1974. This story is 40 years old! Yikes! And reading it, makes me wonder if women were as stupid as the heroine, Stacy back then? Surely not?

I couldn't wrap my head around a heroine who lets a guy bully her the way Cord does, and then decide she's in love with him.

Seriously, I was team Carter!

And she never really talked to Cord, she just let him, ride roughshod over her. (Pun intended)

I know the Presents line is all about the alpha male, but Cord takes things to extreme. He's nothing but a jerk, and that's the nicest thing you can say about him.

There really is no relationship between the two characters romantically. So the ending just doesn't fit. At least not for me.

I've read a lot of vintage Harlequins but none of them had characters this unlikeable for me.

Rating: 2 flowers (and that's pushing it)

Book Review: The Dawning

Author: Judy Griffith Gill
Title: The Dawning
Publisher: Open Road Media
Publish Date: Dec 18, 2012
Buy: The Dawning

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

n a world ravaged by biological warfare, two young survivors fight to protect a supernaturally powerful child Following the devastating Bio Wars, in which genetically modified diseases were weaponized and used with astonishing cruelty, some survivors developed extraordinary powers, such as telepathy. These people, called Talents, are feared and hated by the Normals, who occupy the seats of power in this post-apocalyptic world. As Talents are forced to hide out in wilderness territories, two survivors among them—Serena and Andrew—team up to protect one of the youngest members of their community: a baby, named Grace, who needs protection from the territorial government at all costs.

Review: I'm used to my dystopian novels falling into the YA category. This is the first book from that genre that fell into the adult realm and it left me wanting more, but not necessarily more of the book.

I felt like I was jumping into a series at the second book. The backstory of Serena and Andrew was so powerful that it felt like there was another story before this one that explained away their past better than this story did.

The book reminded me quite a bit of Laura Bickle's  The Hallowed Ones, because the two characters are travelling to find a safe spot with the "Fold"

I have to admit I was confused through a good portion of this book trying to sort out the SAPPS, The Normals and The Talents. This 300 page book took me nearly a week to read, which is more time than most books of that length take me to read.

But it isn't bad, just slow. There are some wonderful points, especially with Grace, when they stay on the farm with Matthew and Gerta, who are Mennonites. It was strange to see a familiar culture show up in this post apocalyptic, dystopian tale.

Then there is the matter of Grace and her potty training and feeding. That was good for a few giggles. (And this book needed something to perk it up)

There's a rekindled romance between Serena and Andrew, but that also left me wanting. She doesn't trust him for such a long time, and then suddenly she does...and the ending..ARGH

I will admit to being totally surprised at who Jamieson turned out to be. I really wasn't expecting that at all.

I think readers that are more into this genre will appreciate this one, probably more than I did, but it is nice to venture outside my comfort zone every now and then, and this was a pleasant read.

Rating: 3 flowers

Book Review: Bride Of The Wind

Author: Heather Graham
Title: Bride Of The Wind
Publisher: Open Road Media
Publish Date: June 12, 2012
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

Trapped on the high seas by the pirate known as Dragonslayer, Lady Rose confronts her passionate past

The daughter of a wealthy Virginia planter, Lady Rose Woodbine curses fate for leading her to the court of the British King Charles-and into an unwanted marriage with the handsome and dangerous Lord Pierce DeForte.

His desire for Rose blinded Pierce to the dangerous machinations of his enemies. Banished from England, he lives the life of a pirate-seeking vengeance on those who betrayed him, including the woman he once called his wife. Pierce, now feared as the notorious pirate Dragonslayer, captures a ship carrying Rose. Once his bride, now his prisoner, she's determined to escape from him once and for all.

This ebook features an illustrated biography of Heather Graham, including rare photos from the author's personal collection.

Review:  This is a reissue novel by Heather Graham when she was writing as Shannon Drake. You know it is a retro read, because if you look for the original cover art, Fabio is Lord Pierce DeForte.

AGH!

I have to say this book just didn't do it for me, even though I love the setting. Restoration England...in the court of Charles II. This is a fabulous time in history. (And a raunchy time too)

However I had problems with both the hero and the heroine. I couldn't like them. Rose was too hard headed, and she blindly accepts some pretty lousy treatment by Pierce. And speaking of Pierce, he automatically thinks the worst of Rose for some things that he simply doesn't have evidence to prove. I don't know which character I liked the least.

There's a lot of drama in this book and it mostly in the back story of Rose and Pierce.

If you were hoping this was going to be a swashbuckling pirate novel, you are going to be disappointed. The amount of time the characters spend on the high seas isn't worth mentioning. Most of the story is about how Rose and Pierce ended up as a couple. That is where the primary drama is, and that also explains how Pierce ended up being Dragonslayer.

I never quite figured out how these two managed to be in love with each other! If one night of drugged out lovemaking makes for a marriage..well there should be a lot of these weird marriages going on...oh wait their are..and they are mostly in Vegas!

The ending wasn't all that satisfying either. Everything wrapped up too nice and easy.

If you like the bodice rippers from the late 80s early 90s, you might try this one. As for me, it was just an ok read.

Rating: 3 flowers

Historical Fiction Book Tours Book Review: Dangerous Illusions

Dangerous Illusions

Publication Date: March 26, 2013
Open Road Media
eBook; 344p
ASIN: B00BPJOC40

The first book in Amanda Scott’s acclaimed Dangerous series journeys from the battlefields of Waterloo to the ballrooms and boudoirs of London, where a deadly deception unfolds . . .

Engaged by proxy to a man she’s never met, Lady Daintry Tarrant is dismayed when the war hero returns, introducing himself as her fiancé, Lord Penthorpe. She cherishes her independence and has turned away many suitors, but this one she must marry. Penthorpe is completely captivated by Lady Daintry—but he’s not who he claims to be.

Penthorpe and Lord Gideon Deverill fought together at the battle of Waterloo, and when Penthorpe fell, Gideon assumed his identity in order to see the beautiful Lady Daintry. Gideon knows there’s bad blood between Lady Daintry’s family and his own, but he’s smitten with Daintry and determined to reunite the bitterly feuding clans. When a ghost from Gideon’s past appears, he could lose everything—including Daintry’s love.


Review:  This wasn't quite what I expected for a Regency era type novel. Usually these are more fluffy, book candy and this really wasn't.

Lady Daintry is a forward thinking woman. She doesn't want to be tied down to a husband because she's seen the way men treat there wives, and in this era, it wasn't uncommon for a husband to beat his wife. She was his property and that was that.

I think that took over the story and really overshadowed the romance especially when things got nasty with Susan and her husband Geoffrey. That was one evil guy. I couldn't stand that no one would stand up for her, it made me hate just about every member of their family. And then with the things that happened to Daintry, I wanted to kill him.

Not to sound like a teenager, but geeze the guys were simply mean. It is understandable that Daintry didn't want to marry with men that didn't have an ounce of kindness to them and her mother was simply too wishy washy.

Gideon is a breath of fresh air among the men that Daintry knows. He's nice, yet it takes a while to really warm up to his character. It was hard to figure out why he masqueraded as his dead friend at the beginning.

The characters that were more fun in this novel were Aunt Ophelia and the two little girls, Charley and Melissa. Such fun, and such terrors in a round about way.

The plot of this novel centered around such vile behavior on the part of most of the male characters..not the hero..and well not another male character whose name would very well be a spoiler.  So it keeps this from being a great romance.

I know the message that the author was trying to convey, I just couldn't believe that every man in the heroine's family could be so despicable.

Overall a good read but not the best from this genre.

Rating: 3 flowers

About the Author

A fourth-generation Californian of Scottish descent, Amanda Scott is the author of more than fifty romantic novels, many of which appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Her Scottish heritage and love of history (she received undergraduate and graduate degrees in history at Mills College and California State University, San Jose, respectively) inspired her to write historical fiction. Credited by Library Journal with starting the Scottish romance subgenre, Scott has also won acclaim for her sparkling Regency romances. She is the recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award (for Lord Abberley’s Nemesis, 1986) and the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award. She lives in central California with her husband.

For more information on Amanda Scott’s novels, please visit the official website.