Prince of Dreams

Prince of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas

3 stars

Readers of Romance Summer 2012 Challenge "Prince/Princess"

Back Cover:

A wealthy and bitter exile, he most dangerous and desirable man in all of England, he burns to possess a proud, headstrong beauty who is promised to another. But winning Emma Stokehurst's exquisite hand through threats and determination does nothing to fill the empty spaces in Nikola's heart--until passion's magic carries the handsome, tormented prince back to a bygone era of splendor and romantic dreams. For there his destiny awaits him in a distant life. And in one remarkable woman's tender touch--achingly familiar but gloriously new--he must seek the elusive promise of ecstasy . . .and learn, at last, to love.

My Thoughts:
Here is what is soooo interesting, the "back cover" that I posted above is not what I saw when I got the book.  This blurb actually kinda describes the book, while the one I saw was soooo vague.  Irritate me!  Anyway, so I start reading the book expecting the awesomeness that I know is Ms. Kleypas.  The opening chapter looks promising.  I get about 1/3 of the way through the book and find myself waiting for LK to do her magic.  Then about 2/3 of the way through, I'm starting to wonder what is going on.  I mean, I've read several books by this author and have liked if not loved everyone of them.  This one is killing me.  I find myself more curious as to how the author is going to resolve this mess of a relationship that she has written.  I keep reading though, because I am NOT a quitter.

The author used a plot device that I hate.  Does it work with the story?  yeees.  Does it fit the character? yeees.  Do I like it? noooo.  Ok, so that's my pet peeve, but I still don't like it.  I will say, that..ok...Spoiler Alert!!!!!  the plot device I hate is when a hero or heroine cheats.  In this case the hero decides to cheat on his wife with another because he doesn't want to get too close to her.  (Hate That!)  Yes, his need to keep distant is part of his tortured past.  I get it, but I don't have to like . Now, she did do this with some discretion. He gets up and gets dressed and decides to find a willing woman....We don't see him again until he comes home smelling of tobacco, alcohol, and sex.  Eww!

The heroine, to me, was just not much of a sympathetic character.  I mean, I felt like I never really connected with her.  She spent so much time, being mad at someone.  Ugh!  Instead of finding out what kind of demons your husband has and why he is the way he is, she just gets mad.  It's not like there aren't several people who know about him who could give her that insight.  Her step-mother being the main one.  We meet some of the staff, but never do those characters get fleshed out.  It would have been endearing to see the heroine trying to use some russian words (and failing a little here and there) while she was learning from her staff.  I think small things like that would have gone a long way towards making her more sympathetic.  She is supposed to have a soft heart as she rescues animals etc. 

Anyway, the Hero was a jerk who had to "Time Travel" back 170 years in order to decide to love.  The heroine, was so 2 dimensional that I couldn't muster up much care for her even though she'd been cheated on. (and we all know how much I hate that!)

I will not give up on Lisa Kleypas, but will not be looking for the other book in this series.  Nope. 

A Night Like This

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn

rated 5 stars

Back Cover:

Anne Wynter might not be who she says she is . . . — But she's managing quite well as a governess to three highborn young ladies. Her job can be a challenge -- in a single week she finds herself hiding in a closet full of tubas, playing an evil queen in a play that might be a tragedy (or might be a comedy -- no one is sure), and tending to th... more »e wounds of the oh-so-dashing Earl of Winstead. After years of dodging unwanted advances, he's the first man who has truly tempted her, and it's getting harder and harder to remind herself that a governess has no business flirting with a nobleman.

Daniel Smythe-Smith Might be in mortal danger . . .

But that's not going to stop the young earl from falling in love. And when he spies a mysterious woman at his family's annual musicale, he vows to pursue her, even if that means spending his days with a ten-year-old who thinks she's a unicorn. But Daniel has an enemy, one who has vowed to see him dead. And when Anne is thrown into peril, he will stop at nothing to ensure their happy ending . 

My Thoughts:
OK. Let the record show that I love, Julia Quinn.  She can do no wrong, and I sincerely believe that  we may be twins separated at birth except for the age difference....  I get her sense of humor and just love her checkiness.  I have loved her Bridgertons, and her Bevelstokes.  I loved the Smythe-Smiths from afar untill the last 2 books.  Now I love them from close up. I do find that there are many cousins and the names get a little confusing, but I am willing to invest some time in a spreadsheet if need be. 
I love the secondary characters that JQ (that's what I call her, JQ because we are soooo close) puts in her stories.  Everyone is so "fleshed out" and that makes for such a rich cast.  That speaks to me.  I find that I like it better when the H/H have family/friends/pets (anyone really) who adds flavor as a 3rd party.  I like to see the main characters interract with someone other than their main love interest.  In this case, to see Daniel and Anne "hanging" with Sophie, Elizabeth, and Harriet was great.  Those girls reminded me of my 2 girls alot.  There was bickering and long detailed conversations about some random thing.  One of her 3 charges is a budding playwright so we must discuss ad naseum the next play and it's characters, and plot and subplot and motivation and history and ....(you get my drift).  Well, I have 2 budding novelists at home and it never fails that in the car we must discuss what this character will do and why. They even argue about what the character should/would say.  Needless to say, there were moments in this book that had me laughing out loud.   

I love Anne and her genuine affection for her charges and for Daniel.  I love Daniel and his willingness to be silly and his ability to be so warm.  He is someone you want to spend time with. 

JQ is an auto buy for me.  This installment in the Smythe-Smith quartet did not disappoint.  I hope to see Sara's story and Hugh.  Maybe even Sara and Hugh!!!  Hmm?! 

Sunrise Point

Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr

4.5 stars

Back Cover:
Former marine Tom Cavanaugh’s come home to Virgin River, ready to take over his family’s apple orchard and settle down. He knows just what the perfect woman will be like: sweet, decent, maybe a little naive. The marrying kind.
Nothing like Nora Crane. So why can’t he keep his eyes off the striking single mother?
Nora may not have a formal education, but she graduated with honors from the school of hard knocks. She’s been through tough times and she’ll do whatever it takes to support her family, including helping with harvest time at the Cavanaugh’s orchard. She’s always kept a single-minded focus on staying afloat...but suddenly her thoughts keep drifting back to rugged, opinionated Tom Cavanaugh.
Both Nora and Tom have their own ideas of what family means. But they’re about to prove each other completely wrong...

My Thoughts:
I've just read 3 Virgin River books in a row and this was my favorite of the three.  At first, I couldn't get why Tom was so uptight about Nora's past and current situation.  At the end he says something to his grandmother where he thinks she will have a hard time with his ending up with a single mom.  There was only one "love scene" in the story and I felt like, it wasn't even necessary.  It was good and all, but not necessary.  Anyway, the story goes along and we see a real progression of the relationship.  The secondary characters were fleshed out and good.  I was certain that the Coop story was going to reveal him as Denny's Dad.  However, that didn't happen.  He must have a story coming up somehow, because that's how things kinda work.  Also, if he doesn't have a story coming up soon, then we meet him for no reason. 

Reader's of Romance 2012 Summer Reading Challenge

1. Title the includes a Flower
Coming up Roses by Catherine Anderson

2. Title the includes the word 'Love'
Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis

3. Title that has a wedding word
The Most Unsuitable Wife by Caroline Clemmons~~~finished 4 stars

4. Title with a Color word
Blue Skies by Robyn Carr

5. Book with a one word title
Fury- New Species book 1 by Laurann Dohner~~~finished 3 stars

6. Read one new author
Beautiful Mess by Lucy V Morgan~~~finished 4 stars

7. Title the inlcudes the word Prince or Princess
Prince of Dreams by Lisa Kleypas 3 stars

8. Title with a jewel in the title

9. Title with a word that makes you think summer
Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr (ok another stretch, but I would never summit in winter....)
finished 4 stars

10. Title includes a 'W' word any word
Red"Wood" Bend by Robyn Carr?~~~finished 4 stars

11. Title that includes a number

12. Title with a time word
Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr~~~finished 4.5 stars

13. Title with Lord or Lady in the title

14. Author whose first or last names starts with 'J'
A Night Like This by Julia Quinn finished 5 stars

15. Author whose first or last names starts with 'A'
Love Me by Bella Andre finished 1 star

Redwood Bend

Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr

4 stars

Reader's of Romance Summer 2012 Reading Challenge
prompt title word with a W. (Red "Wood" Bend)


Back Cover
Katie Malone and her twin boys' trip along the beautiful mountain roads to Virgin River is stopped short by a tire as flat as her failed romance. To make matters worse, the rain has set in, the boys are hungry and Katie is having trouble putting on a spare. As she stands at the side of the road pondering her next move, she hears a distinct r... more »umble. The sight of the sexy, leather-clad bikers who pull up beside her puts her imagination into overdrive.

Dylan Childress and his buddies are on the motorcycle trip of a lifetime. But the sight of a woman in distress stops them in their tracks. And while the guys are checking out her car, she and Dylan are checking out one another.

In one brief moment, the world tilts on its axis and any previous plans Katie and Dylan might have had for their futures are left at the side of the road.


My Thoughts:
I liked the book.  So I say that first because I have been such a great fan of the Virgin River series and Ms. Carr's books.  I find that she writes characters that you want to root for.  If her character is working through their demons or baggage then I find it easy to invest.  She gives me enough of the back story so that I sympathize and want to see them succeed.  Every once in a while she will write a character that I just don't connect with.  There have been a couple in the series of (17 or so.).  Unfortunately this was one of those books.  And curiously Katie was that character.  I get her back story and even sympathize, but I just didn't feel her inner struggle.  I feel like Ms. Carr spent better energy writing Dylan than Katie.  Don't get me wrong, I liked the character of Katie, but feel like she wasn't as "fleshed out" as Dylan.  I didn't feel her inner struggle.  On the other hand, I felt really connected with Dylan's story and his journey.  I don't have any idea what a life like that would be like, but the way she wrote him, made you really want to see him win.  I liked the twins ok, but find that she doesn't write kids all that involved in regard to this series.  I like to see the kids in a story as strong secondary characters. 

Other than that particular character development flaw, I found this book to be a good solid read.  I like Virgin River but find these last two to be weaker than others.  Hopefully she will get her VR mojo back in Sunrise Point.  Let's cross our fingers.

Love Me

Love Me by Bella Andre

1 Star
Reader's of Romance Summer 2012 Reading Challenge

Back Cover:
If there's one thing that Janica Ellis is absolutely certain of, it's that she and Luke Carson are totally wrong for each other. She's a wild, artistic and outspoken fashion designer. He's a type A, workaholic trauma surgeon (who just happens to be sizzling hot and her brother-in-law!). But Janica is about to be proven wrong when opposites attract...in the sexiest possible way.

After a life-changing night in the ER, Luke is desperate for escape - and relief from his personal demons. For five years he has fought his attraction to his sister-in-law, but when he's pushed too far, he can't fight it another second. He needs her. Desperately. He's spent his whole life doing the right thing. For one night, he's going to follow desire instead. Straight into Janica's arms.

Janica can't believe Luke is finally at her front door...and that he's kissing her like he's been waiting his whole life to touch her. But even as their sensual connection deepens with every touch of skin on skin - and the man she always thought was such a good boy turns out to be sinfully, toe-curlingly bad between the sheets - Janica soon realizes she wants more than Luke's body. She wants his heart too. But what will Luke do when one night of extreme passion turns into an all or nothing proposition?


My Thoughts:
I just didn't like this book.  I felt the back cover was kinda deceiving.  First off, He's not her Brother-in-law he is her Brother-in-law's brother.  Second, At no time in this book does Ms. Andre really explain the Demon's Luke and Janica are fighting.  There is even mention of some sordid/traumatic past for Janica and Luke is supposed to be some sort of tortured hero and he doesn't come across that way. 
Then, then... the sex scenes were soooo gratuitious.  I mean give me a break.  When the Hero shows up at the Heroine's door she has gone to a club and invited 2 stangers home for her first menage.  Now, really!  IMO, if that wasn't bad enough these guys are complete strangers and you invite them to your house for some kinkiness. Nope!  So she makes the wonder boys leave before the big event.  As soon as the door closes behind them, Hero is kissing her, and just bossing her around.  Now, I get some people are ok or rather into dominance/submission stuff, but this didn't feel like that.  If felt like, I'm a jerk and you are just going to do whatever I say.  AND SHE DOES!!!   Geez.  Give me a break. 

I kiss you once, then "Get on your knees", then "Get Naked", than "Down", then "Roll Over", I am suprised she didn't have to "Play Dead" and "Shake Hands".  NOT SEXY!.  Then he just up and walks out the door.  She goes right after him and finds him at a secluded cabin where she confesses her love and he just kept up the same icky treatment.  Oh, sure, he "feels" guilty, but keeps on treating her cruddy.  At one point he tells her, if she is to stay at the cabin, she must be naked. So what does she do?  Yep!  Strips!  Gah! 

What a waste.  I love a tortured hero and don't mind a needy heroine every once in a while, but ugh both these characters were sooo unsympathetic.  In My Opinion.  (Since this is my blog, it is my opinion.)

I think this book would probably be considered erotica so the gratuitious sex scenes have an explanation.  The bad character development doesn not. Don't waste your time, and even though it was free, I still wish I could get a refund. Rolls Eyes!

Hidden Summit

Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr

4 stars

Reader's of Romance Summer 2012 Book Challenge

Synopsis

Sick of running into her cheery ex-husband and his new wife, Leslie Petruso accepts a job at the Virgin River branch of Haggerty Construction and takes the high road right out of town. Now she's got Paul Haggerty's business running like a well-oiled machine. In fact, things are so busy Paul jumps at the chance to hire an extra set of hands.

Just like Leslie, Conner Danson has been burned by love. But if Leslie was disappointed by her relationship going bad, Conner was decimated. He's got no time for women…although he spends an awful lot of time pretending not to notice Leslie. And she's pretty busy "ignoring" the chemistry between them.

According to Conner and Leslie, they have only one thing in common -- they're done with love. But everyone in Virgin River can see that things are heating up at Haggerty Construction. And as far as Paul Haggerty can tell, the best thing he can do is hang on to his hard hat and watch the sparks fly!

My Thoughts:

I thought this was not the best of the series.  I liked the character progression of Connor and Leslie, but found certain small petty things kind of annoying.  For example, Ms. Carr has some crazy nicknames for her characters.  I mean, really does everyone have to have a nickname?  Ness? Vanni?  Les?!  C'mon give the readers a break,  Anyway, that's a pretty decent pet peeve, but ultimately not a huge deal, just an eye roll everytime.  Good news for Virgin River fans, we get to catch up with many of our old friends there.  More importantly we get to catch up with Dan and Cheryl, who I still think should have gotten their own book.....(sent Ms. Carr some emails, but she refuses to listen to reason.)  Anyway, that was so nice to be able to catch up with them.  Connor is in hiding until he can testify in a murder trial so he is not exactly in witness protection, but ...  So his real name is Danson Connor, so while he is in hiding he goes by Connor Danson.  (I am not kidding!)  If my DA was hiding me for my safety and I was no longer Carpoolqueen but Queen Carpool....well I'd be very afraid. 

Otherwise, I like the characters and liked them together.  We got to meet Nora and her kiddos and Katie and her kiddos.  I figure we will see them both in the near future.  Which is fine with me. 

If you like Virgin River, you'll like this book.  If you haven't read any other Virgin River books yet, start at the beginning.  Trust me on this, you'll thank me later.

Happy Reading!