Book Review: The Long Dark Tea Time Of The Soul

Author: Douglas Adams
Title: The Long Dark Tea-Time Of The Soul
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publish Date: Oct 10, 1988
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb:  When a passenger check-in desk at London's Heathrow Airport disappears in a ball of orange flame, the explosion is deemed an act of God. But which god, wonders holistic detective Dirk Gently? What god would be hanging around Heathrow trying to catch the 3:37 to Oslo? And what has this to do with Dirk's latest--and late-- client, found only this morning with his head revolving atop the hit record "Hot Potato"? Amid the hostile attentions of a stray eagle and the trauma of a very dirty refrigerator, super-sleuth Dirk Gently will once again solve the mysteries of the universe...

Review: I've been trying to get into the Dirk Gently series. I've not been having a good time with it though.

Unlike the first book, Tea Time gets into the story fairly quickly and Dirk gets quickly involved in the craziness.

I don't know if I can give this book the review I want to give it. Douglas Adams is quirky and if you aren't used to his style of writing a bit confusing. For a shorter read, I always find myself slogging my way through this series. I don't remember taking that long with the Hitchhiker books, but I read those in college and that was a long time ago.

What made this book interesting was the involvement of the Gods, Odin and Thor. They are central to the part of the story that involves the explosion at Heathrow. That's Thor's fault.

Thanks to the Marvel movies, I kept thinking of Chris Helmsworth and  Anthony Hopkins. I'm trying to imagine Thor counting all the stones in Wales.

Then there's the other stuff...like Dirk's very dirty fridge. The client that lost his head on a record player that is stuck on a song called "Hot Potato" and a whole lot of other freaky things.

At the end of the book, I'm not sure Dirk solved anything so much as he got dragged into things. 

I enjoyed this book and I may continue on with this series at some point.

Rating: 4 flowers

Book Review: To Have And To Hold

Author: Lauren Layne
Title: To Have and To Hold
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publish Date: July 26, 2016
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb:  Discovering her fiancé is an international con man just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Baldwin’s business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet—if slightly spoiled—hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse strings.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister Maya's fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

Review: I really wanted to love this book. I heard good things about the author so I decided to give it a go.

It didn't work for me at all.

I slogged through this book.

I don't know if I'm losing my taste for romance or what but this book annoyed me.

The hero and heroine both had issues. Seth is super controlling and Brooke, well I found her to be stupid, especially when it came to what Seth was saying about his sister's fiance. The Maya and Neil relationship was probably the only reason that I finished this book. I wanted to find out what was up with the guy, because you knew he wasn't going to be the one for Maya.

In fact, that particular story line felt like something I had read before.

I also couldn't understand why there was such a huge deal made about Seth having the guy investigated. I felt a little less so when he investigated Clay, because his relationship with her was rather rocky, but his sister? To me that sounded like something any loving, wealthy brother would do when his sister seemed to be making a huge mistake.

The other thing that really bothered me was the lack of any real reason for a relationship between Brooke and Seth. They don't have anything in common at all. I never quite get it when characters have nothing to go on. I'm sorry if only gorgeous people hook up, no one would ever get married.

I think I'm going to stick by my standbys when it comes to romance or maybe just give up on this genre for awhile.

Book Review: Touchstone

Author: Linda Hilton
Title: Touchstone
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publish Date: March 1996
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: Aurelia Phillips, Nethergate Hall's resident spinster - a quiet, reserved miss whose inability to tell even a polite lie had made her unmarriageable in London society - expected death to come calling. Her adopted grandfather, the Duke of Winterburn, was failing. Guests had already arrived to meet Joshua MacKinnon, the young wastrel who would inherit the ancient title and fortune of Winterburn. But Aurelia didn't expect Mr. Kit Ballantyne of Charleston, South Carolina. Silhouetted against a tempestuous storm, Kit's strength and stature were disturbing, and so was the ominously sealed letter he presented to the ailing Duke. If Galahad, her discerning pet deerhound, hadn't accepted Kit at once, Aurelia might have feared for her life - especially when the Hall's haughty mistress turned up murdered. Instead Aurelia felt drawn to the stranger as her only ally amid growing suspicions and increasingly sinister events. But while a killer stalked the halls and passion ambushed her heart, Aurelia needed to discover why Kit had come to Nethergate, and who he really was...because honestly, openly, and perilously, she was falling in love!

Review:  I really wanted to like this book more than I did, but it was really a little too slow in pace for me and it didn't have enough believable romance. 

The book takes place over a period of about 4 or 5 days. In those days, there's at least 2 murders and a few attempted murders and a bit of a snow storm, and Kit and Aurelia experience something close to love at first sight, even though they are trying to solve several mysteries.

There are so many things that made me go "hmmm" as I was reading. Aureila never lied. WTF! C'mon now! I don't care who you are, a white lie is bound to come out now and then. Then there's Kit, he travels to England to find out about his family but not to lay a claim on a title that could possibily be his? Really? A man who has lost 15 years of work and a possible partnership because his boss sold the company? And his fiancee as a result? Not want the wealth an English title brings? I find that hard to believe!

But I'd be lying if I said there was nothing enjoyable about the story. The fact that it wasn't a bodice ripper was a bit refreshing. If it weren't for a few scenes, this historical could almost pass for a Christian story.  The problem is, there was so much sexual tension between the two characters that the relationship not really going the route of hot steamy sex just somehow felt wrong to me.

What I did enjoy was the intrigue. Ms. Hilton keeps you in suspense throughout the story. This wasn't a whodunit that was easily guessed, and that was the main reason why I kept reading this book. I started it a month ago, and kept putting it aside in favor of something else.

I was satisfied with the ending, though the way she did away with the villan was just a bit too easy for my liking. All and all it was a good read, maybe it would have been a better one if I didn't have such a huge pile of fantastic books waiting for my attention.

Rating: 3 flowers

Book Review: A Courtesan's Scandal

Author: Julia London
Title:A Courtesan's Scandal
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publish Date: October 2009
Rating: 4 Stars
Book Blurb: Kate Bergeron is the beautiful and mysterious former mistress of a cloth merchant...and the latest beauty to capture the interest of the Prince of Wales. Mired in a disastrous divorce, the Prince attempts to distract attention from his next amorous pursuit by ordering Grayson Christopher, the eligible Duke of Darlington, to pretend to London society that he is having an affair with Kate. When Grayson reluctantly agrees to his Prince's demand, he finds the lady no more willing than he is. Kate will grudgingly act the part in public, but her favors are not for sale to any man. As Grayson and Kate mimic ardor for the world to see, they find what started as a deception becoming all too real. And when passion flames into love, their predicament becomes extreme. For while marriage between a duke and a courtesan could never happen, Kate knows in her heart that she is willing to accept nothing less....
Review: I had never read a book by Julia London before, but if this book is any indication of her writing style, I'm definitely going to be joining the ranks of her fans.

This book was really well written and fun and it didn't over sex the story, which could have been a pitfall, since the heroine is a courtesan. London kept the balance of good girl/sex goddess pretty nicely. Kate Bergeron wasn't a novice at her profession but she also wanted to be something more, a baker! Kate is always working in the kitchen creating some pastry or another. It is almost impossible not to crave sweets while reading this book.

Grayson was everything anyone would think a duke should be, including a hopeless stuffed shirt, until he really started to get to know Kate, then he started to change, to care about things other than what was expected of the Duke Of Darlington. It was really quite fun to watch how he slowly started to fall for Kate, even though he didn't want to. The fact of the matter is, Grayson was a bit of a hypocrite. He fought against liking or being seen with Kate, even when it was a favor for the Prince Of Wales, but it was perfectly acceptable for him to bed another man's wife, and when he finished with that woman (Diana) he ended it so abruptly it was no wonder she sought revenge! Who wouldn't?

The cast of characters in the story really makes it more enjoyable, from Kate's staff to Darlington's family. I really loved how Grayson acted towards his nephews. Most regency romances don't have the hero cast as a family man, but that wasn't the case with Grayson, which really made it difficult at times to believe he wasn't ready for marriage.

But all of the little plot holes didn't hurt this story, and yes, there were several including a whopper at the end involving Kate's long lost brother. (You'll have to read to understand) This was truly a great regency read, I can't wait to devour another one of Julia's books.

~ If you like this author, please share another title that I might enjoy.

Book Review: Just The Way You Are

Author: Christina Dodd
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publish Date: June 2003
Rating: 4 Stars
Book Blurb: Shining with all the humor of her historical romances-but with a sassy edge that reflects the story's modern setting-Dodd's (My Favorite Bride, etc.) first foray into the contemporary arena is nothing short of a success. Separated from her siblings since her parents' death seven years earlier, Hope Prescott works as an answering service operator and dreams of getting a job that will finance her search for her family-not to mention socks without holes. While calling in for his messages, Zack Givens, a Boston CEO notorious for his cold manner, accidentally leads Hope to believe that he's his butler, and her scorn for the rich and heartless as well as her warm, caring manner encourages him to continue the charade. Upon meeting Hope in person and realizing that she has a heart of gold, Zack's focus turns possessive and sexual, and his stratagems revolve around getting her in bed and then showering her with wealth. But secrets from Hope's past and Zack's distrust conspire to ruin their happiness. Zack's poor estimation of Hope's moral strength may disturb some readers, but his bewilderment and agony when he realizes his mistake will soften hearts. Aside from one farcical side trip-when Hope is kidnapped by a crime lord-Dodd's surefooted story is lively, sexy and certain to expand her readership.

Review: This is my first book by Christina Dodd. I probably should have gone for one of her historical novels because as much as I loved the story and the characters, I kept thinking about how unrealistic parts of the story were.

I could get a handle on Zach's wanting to masquerade as his Butler Griswald when he first starts talking to Hope, but how can a business man be on the top of his game without knowing how to use a computer? It just isn't possible. The book was written in 2003, so that couldn't be used as an excuse.

The other thing that bugged me was Hope's need to save money to look for her sister. Uh, she's a computer science major! What about the internet? Why didn't she do any searching on her own? It was something that most people would have thought to do.

All that aside, Christina Dodd creates a cast of characters that you easily become attached to because they are so off the wall. There were times when I was reading this, that I felt like I was reading a Janet Evanovich novel. Aunt Ceclily felt like a cousin or wealthy sister to Grandma Mazur, and all the employees at the answering service Hope worked for were just a riot. They actually made up for the total lack of realism in the story, but hey, sometimes reality isn't much fun and this book really made me laugh at times.

Dodd also set up a good mystery with Hope's family being separate as a result of her parents supposedly committing a crime. It definitely makes you want to run out and buy the other two books in the trilogy, so you can find out if they get reunited and if all works out, clear their parents name.

All in all, this was a fun summer read.