HQN books
http://eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=14881&cid=330
Romantic Suspense
WHen this book released, I rushed out to buy it. It seemed just what I was looking for, seeing that I love Rachel Lee's Mira Books. This book wasn't quite what I expecte,d and while it was good, I was mildly disappointed.
Mia Kearney lives in a small town in Idaho, where, to quite "Cheers", everyone knows everyone else's names. She is quite close to some friends who own the town's cafe/diner and we see their worry and protectiveness about this artist who gets so caught up in her work that she doesn't take many breaks.
Mia goes off on her merry way then diaster strikes. She awakens days later in a facility, learning the horrific news that the entire town has been obliterated and that she is the only survivor. Mia quickly becomes ewmbroiled in a turf war between the CIA and Homeland Security. Handsome Nicholas from Homeland Security seems to be her only ally.
The idea for this book is fantastic but the follow through was lacking. There were a lot of nagging questions I had, such as why Mia was at first a valued scientific experiment and then totally expendable, how the "Bad guys" found Mia and Nick after their tracking device was destroyed. The story also wrapped up way too quickly for me, the author cramming in what amounted to a summary for the HEA.
I loved Mia's kick ass ways and Nick's character was wonderfully complex. The romantic tension between them was palpable and the way they were wrenched apart by their circumstances added to the buildup.
This was a good book which could have been great if it was five pages longer. I will read more Dee Davis and I hope Matt will get his own story.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Ben's Wildflower by Carol Lynne- 1 star
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419909276
Ellora's Cave release.
Conteporary
1 star
After reading all the posts in the blog world, I wanted to read this book and see for myself if it was as esteemed peers had suggested.
In a phrase, it was.
Kate's financial problems have grown and her ranch is in danger. Enter Ben, someone she barely knows. They begin a business relationship that predictably turns lusty.
This book had so many problems that I scarcely know where to begin. Ben is tall and large all over. Carol Lynne reminds us of this fact so many times that I lost count. Instead of it being an alluring or sexy counterpoint, the reader is instead presented with this farce of a man who can tear women assunder with the force of his large appendage.
This is horrifying, not sexy, not erotic.
Kate is a study in contrasts and contradictions. She is at first shown to be a very independent woman, but gives up her home and hearth to a stranger without even giving it serious thought or objections. She is shown as an innocent virgin until the reader learns that she has all sorts of raunchy lingerie and a clit piercing.
The emphasis on Kate's teeny tiny stature is overdone.
Ben's character seems to be wrapped up in his appendage and the emotional growth of the characters then almost becomes a threesome. Ben, Kate, and Ben's large endowment all share equal billing.
The romantic development of the couple was nil. The reader was told that they were in love, but there was no hard evidence to prove this.
The way Ben has percieved the women he can have sex with borders on offensive.
The male/male scenes in this book appear to have been tossed in for shock value with no care for what else was going on in the scene.
The writing style was very pedestrian. I was not wowed by her prose in the least bit.
As I read this book, I found myself wondering if this was a farce or a serious attempt at romance. Sadly, I fear it was the latter. As a farce, it would have scored at least 3.5 stars. As a serious romance, 1 star.
Ellora's Cave release.
Conteporary
1 star
After reading all the posts in the blog world, I wanted to read this book and see for myself if it was as esteemed peers had suggested.
In a phrase, it was.
Kate's financial problems have grown and her ranch is in danger. Enter Ben, someone she barely knows. They begin a business relationship that predictably turns lusty.
This book had so many problems that I scarcely know where to begin. Ben is tall and large all over. Carol Lynne reminds us of this fact so many times that I lost count. Instead of it being an alluring or sexy counterpoint, the reader is instead presented with this farce of a man who can tear women assunder with the force of his large appendage.
This is horrifying, not sexy, not erotic.
Kate is a study in contrasts and contradictions. She is at first shown to be a very independent woman, but gives up her home and hearth to a stranger without even giving it serious thought or objections. She is shown as an innocent virgin until the reader learns that she has all sorts of raunchy lingerie and a clit piercing.
The emphasis on Kate's teeny tiny stature is overdone.
Ben's character seems to be wrapped up in his appendage and the emotional growth of the characters then almost becomes a threesome. Ben, Kate, and Ben's large endowment all share equal billing.
The romantic development of the couple was nil. The reader was told that they were in love, but there was no hard evidence to prove this.
The way Ben has percieved the women he can have sex with borders on offensive.
The male/male scenes in this book appear to have been tossed in for shock value with no care for what else was going on in the scene.
The writing style was very pedestrian. I was not wowed by her prose in the least bit.
As I read this book, I found myself wondering if this was a farce or a serious attempt at romance. Sadly, I fear it was the latter. As a farce, it would have scored at least 3.5 stars. As a serious romance, 1 star.
Review ratings
1 star- Couldn't finish this book. Wish I could get my money back.
2 stars- Severe problems. Wallbanger. Would like money back.
3 stars-Below average.
3 1/2 stars- Average. Nothing special or memorable.
4 stars-Good. Pleasant. May keep to read again.
4 1/2 stars-Great! Will keep. Will read again.
5 stars-Fantastic! Stands out in many ways. Will keep and read many times.
6 stars-One of the best books I've read in years.
2 stars- Severe problems. Wallbanger. Would like money back.
3 stars-Below average.
3 1/2 stars- Average. Nothing special or memorable.
4 stars-Good. Pleasant. May keep to read again.
4 1/2 stars-Great! Will keep. Will read again.
5 stars-Fantastic! Stands out in many ways. Will keep and read many times.
6 stars-One of the best books I've read in years.
Intro and review policy
Hello, and welcome to my blog. I'm Wynter, a long-time book reviewer finally moving to an "online" presence. I plan to read and review all sorts of fiction and a little non-fiction as well.
I'll be posting at least five reviews a week. Please email me at wynterstars@gmail.com if you would like your book reviewed.
I'll be posting at least five reviews a week. Please email me at wynterstars@gmail.com if you would like your book reviewed.
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