Castles

Castles by Julie Garwood

#1 Fairytale Title

Rated 4 stars

Pages 354

Back Cover

Orphaned and besieged, Princess Alesandra knew that only hasty marriage to an Englishman could protect her from the turmoil in her own land. To the amusement of her makeshift guardian, Colin, younger brother of the Marquess of Cainewood, the bold raven-haired beauty instantly captivated London society. But when Alesandra was nearly abducted by her unscrupulous countrymen, the fighting instincts that won Colin a knighthood for valor were kindled.

Deceiving himself that he wanted only to protect her, Colin swept her into a union meant to be a marriage in name alone... yet Alesandra's tender first kiss and hesitant caress ignited a wildfire in his soul. As the lovely princess dashed headlong into unforseen dangers, Colin would follow, knowing he must claim her as his own forever. Now he would risk life itself before he would lose this sweet, tempestuous angel...

I liked this story fairly well. It felt like 3rd in a series to me. For some reason, I seemed to be missing something like Nathan/Sara's story and Caine/Jade's story. I don't think it took away from Colin/Alesandra's story, but I felt like I was missing something with the knowing looks etc. That being said, I like the way Julie Garwood forms banter between her Hero/Heroine. I like the witty jokes, and the quirky personalities she gives her characters. (like Alesandra's lists)

I didn't like this as well as The Wedding and The Bride, but I did like it a lot.

Beyond the Highland Mist

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning

Fall Reading Challenge/Book in a series 2

rate 4stars

Back Cover:

He would sell his warrior soul to possess her. . . . An alluring laird...He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart--until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland.

Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length--but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.A prisoner in time...She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side. . . .

My Thought:

Well, I think the premise was very good. Honestly I think a modern woman in 1600 Scotland would have had a much more difficult time fitting in. It could have made for some real fun! However that is not the route taken by Ms, Moning. To each his/her own. I had a hard time getting emotionally invested in Hawk. It wasn't until about 1/2 way thru that she explained why he was such a "horn dog" and how he really was more sympathetic than it would seem.

I liked Adrienne, but give me a break. If I was swooped back a coupla centuries and was faced with the best sex of my life, with the most beautiful man in the universe....I'd go to town. Maybe I wouldn't trust him with my love, but I'd by on him like white on rice!! (hypothetically speaking, being single and available and all that. ahem! fans self!

I liked it alright! This title did not make KMM an auto buy for me, but I liked it well enough to try her again!

Highlander in Her Bed by Allie MacKay

Tour guide Mara MacDougall stops at a London antique shop-and spots perhaps the handsomest bed ever. Then she bumps into the handsomest man ever. Soon Mara can't forget the irresistible-if haughty-Highlander. Not even when she learns that she's inherited a Scottish castle.

Spectral Sir Alexander Douglas has hated the Clan MacDougall since he was a medieval knight and they tricked him into a curse-the curse of forever haunting the bed (the very one that Mara now owns) that was once intended for his would-be bride. But Mara makes him feel what no other MacDougall has-a passion that he never knew he'd missed.

I'm a little conflicted about this book. Ms MacKay (Welfonder) does a decent job of telling a fun little story. It was a quick read, and had some fun moments. However, there were definately parts that I felt were lacking. The secondary characters could have been sooo much fun, and a really colorful backdrop, but they were pale. She mentions a 1 armed gardener, then nothing. The ghost hunting cook, could have really been superb, but stayed just ok. Even Hardwick, the ghost friend of Alex, could have been so much more fully developed (pun intended, you'll have to read to find the pun). The plot progression didn't make sense to me.

Mara, finds a bed in an antique shop, (along with the ghost who haunts it.) She also inherits the castle (said ghost) was to inherit upon wedding the then maid. Yadda yadda yadda! He starts to haunt her, to quickly fall in love with her. She finds him rude and scary and then...is in love.

I also have to say, that I found the chemistry between these two, too unrealistic to even make allowances for. I understand that many (ok maybe most) romance novels there is the suspension of reality for the sake of brevity. But this was.....too much. He sees her and is instantly "standing at attention". Really! He talks to her in his burr, (usually mean words) and his accent alone, has her...umm...almost finishing! (**wink wink**) REALLY! I mean, if that accent is ALL THAT, I need to get to scotland stat!! Crud, for a heroine, who's not sure she has had a "real" -O-, the wind on her breasts, (through her shirt) is almost enough to finish the job. Scotland, here I come! (get it? Here I ...aaaany way!)

Besides that, the story was ok. If you want quivering, standing at attention fun little reads, this is the book for you.

I rated it 3.5 stars.

It meets needs for my Read Around the Genres and Fall 08 Reading Challenges.

A Tale of Two Vikings by Sandra Hill

Two Vikings, Toste and Vagn Ivarsson, twins so identical that only a tiny birthmark differentiates them, find themselves in a battle to the death on their way to pillage a convent. Each brother believes the other to be dead, but each has been saved by a very different angel of mercy. Toste is under the care of Esme, a novice who doesn't trust men. After all, her own father and brothers keep trying to kill her for her inheritance. Vagn finds himself at the mercy of "Helga the Homely," who suffered years of teasing because of the nickname Toste gave her, and she's not real fond of Vagn, either.

I liked this book pretty well. I didn't Loooooove it! I did love how, Vagn and Toste could still hear each other in their heads. I felt more, the connection with Helga and Vagn. They seemed to have a more natural progression. I felt like Esme and Toste's story was a little reaching with the Kidnappings. It was a stretch and I didn't feel warm and Toasty. I felt like he used and manipulated, and not is a great way. If I were Esme, after the tasting in the barn, and the woodsman's hut, I would have felt used and cheap. But maybe that's just me.

I will probably revisit this story at another time. Maybe reread in a couple of months. ( I think I'm in a funk!) Several authors who I have Looooooved in the past, have been so-so lately. So for now, I'll give this a 3.5. It wasn't great, but an enjoyable little read. Who knows, next time, I may give it a 5! You be the judge!

Whirlwind by Cathy Marie Hake

As a Nanny, Millicent Fairweather poured her energy and talnets into the two young charges under her care---only to have them suddenly and without explanation sent to boarding school. Bereft and unsure of where life will lead her, she agrees to accompnay her sister and brother-in-law to America. They board the Opportunity, confident a better life awaits.

Widower Daniel Clark determines to begin life anew in Gooding, Texas, operating a mercantile. But when his nanny leaves him stranded aboard the ship with his young son, he finds himself in dire need of assistance. Obtaining temporary help from steerage, Daniel is initially taken aback by the pretty bundle of energy who takes over his suite. Yet Miss Fairweather's unique child-rearing techniques and tireless devotion to his son win him over.

When tragedy ensues and a whirlwind decision is made, Daniel and Millicent's lives irrevocably intertwine. Will love soon follow?

I liked this book quite a bit. It wasn't as fun as others she's written, but I did love being able to catch up with other characters. I wait for any others she may write in good ole Gooding Texas. Maybe Isabel is next.

Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

After a string of disastrous dates, Emily Albright decides she's had it with modern-day love and would much rather curl up with Pride and Prejudice and spend her time with Mr. Darcy, the dashing, honorable, and passionate hero of Jane Austen's classic. So when her best friend suggests a wild week of margaritas and men in Mexico with the girls, Emily abruptly flees to England on a guided tour of Jane Austen country instead. Far from inspiring romance, the company aboard the bus consists of a gaggle of little old ladies and one single man, Spike Hargreaves, a foul-tempered journalist writing an article on why the fictional Mr. Darcy has earned the title of Man Most Women Would Love to Date.

The last thing Emily expects to find on her excursion is a broodingly handsome man striding across a field, his damp shirt clinging to his chest. But that's exactly what happens when she comes face-to-face with none other than Mr. Darcy himself. Suddenly, every woman's fantasy becomes one woman's reality....

Well, noone will be surprised when I say..."I think I've read this book before!" It was called_____________(fill in the blank with your choice: Pride and Prejudice, Bridget Jones' Diary, any other adaption you like.) This one has a New York bookstore manager taking a trip with goofy grannies on a tour of Jane Austen's haunts. She meets Spike, who is a London reporter doing a story on Why is Mr. Darcy "All that and a bag of chips" (I paraphrase). She dislikes him, and he doesn't help himself by referring to her as sorta dull, and plain. (You know the scene where Mr. D and Mr. B are at the Ball and Lizzy overhears them talking about her? Yea, I knew you did.) AAAnyway, we've seen it done more times than we can count. Ms. Potter does it ok. She's not the best, and I'm sure there are worse. There is a paranormal visitation by the "real" Mr. Darcy, and he is kinda annoying. The secondary characters are charming, and Mr. Wikham turns out to be an elderly bus driver. I'm not mad that I spent time reading this, but I'm also not in a hurry to go out and get Ms. Potters other titles. I read many scathing reviews about this book, before reading it myself, so my expectations were low. Fortunately, I liked it a little better than they did, but that is probably because I expected to loathe it. I was pleasantly suprised. This book fulfills my Chick Lit requirement for the Read Around the Genres challenge.

Dangerous by Nora Roberts

Risky Business

She was a maddening combination of mystery and innocence. But Liz wa the key to finding his brother's killer, so cynical Jonas Sharpe had to stick close...too close for comfort.

Ok. Let the record show, that I am willing to admit that my review of this story is probably not entirely fair. If you read my previous post, I'm still in a bit of a funk. :{

That being said, I didn't love this. Dangerous is a collection of 3 previously released books, Risky Business, Storm Warning, and The Welcoming. I only read Risky Business. It is my suspense/romance for Read Around the Genres. I didn't read the others, because I knew I wouldn't love them now. So, I'll only review Risky Business. It was ok. I didn't love it, but I'm not mad I wasted time reading it either. She gave me the HEA, that I love and redeemed the characters that needed redeeming. All the strings were tied up, and I loved the emotion. She's great at that. Other authors, may be "hotter" but I feel the emotion, and even the conflict of that emotion more with her, than with some others. Even though I'm giving this a 3 stars, I have to defend Nora Roberts. I've read 70 some-odd books, many of which contain two or more previously released titles. So in the 100 + titles I've read by Nora, (I call her that cuz whe're like this**{crosses fingers}**)I've only rated 1 (this one) a 3 and only disliked 1 title ever.

Read Around the Genres

You get to read a boatload of cool books and even win a prize! Who doesn't love that!!

For more information about this challenge please click on the image above! Happy Reading!

Here’s the list

1. Pirate or Viking---"A Tale of Two Vikings" by Sandra Hill (Jenny Jo insisted!)~~~3.5 stars~~~pg 357

2. Vampire---"Love Bite" by Lynsay Sands~~~4 stars~~~pg 373

3. Contemporary---"It Had to Be You" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips ~~~4 stars~~~pg 376

4. Chick Lit---"Me and Mr. Darcy" by Alexandra Potter~~~3.5 stars~~~pg 368

5. Medieval---"Castles" by Julie Garwood (for now)Except it wasn't medieval! Oops! 4 stars pgs 354

6. Time Travel---"Beyond the Highland Mist" by Karen Marie Moning~~~4 stars~~~pg 375

7. Romantic Suspense---"Dangerous" by Nora Roberts (ok, I read 1 of 3 Risky Business) ~~~3 stars pg 265

8. Inspirational---"Whirlwind" by Cathey Marie Hake~~~rate 4~~~pg 358

9. Historical---"the Clayborne Brides" by Julie Garwood~~~rate 4~~~pgs456

10. Paranormal---"A Highlander in her Bed" by Allie MacKay (Me thinks, he's a ghost! )~~~3.5 stars~~~pg 340

total pages 3622
Average rating 3.75 (couple of stinkies blew the curve! :{ )

Ok, so you're saying to yourself "Self, her Read Around the Genre's List, looks purty darn similar to her Fall '08 Reading Challenge List! Hmmm, Self, what do I think about that?"

And I say, "Quit talking to your self, it's just weird!" ***"But seriously folks, I know my lists are almost identical. And maybe that's cheating...maybe! I am hoping to find new books mixed in to substitute for these. But for now, I wanted to get some ideas brewing. Fell free to comment on suggestions for substitutions or to fill in the blanks. When suggesting, please keep in mind, I prefer warm/pg-pg13 to the "singe your fingers while holding the book" books that others might love. It's a personal choice like, to dye or not to dye, fake tanning, and plain vs peanut. To each his own. I'd love your input!!