Days of Gold by Jude Deveraux
This is the second book in the Edilean Series and we find out how the town gets it's name. Set back a few hundred years from the first we meet Edilean in Scotland. Where she meets a former laird (who now has no land). And through a variety of mistakes they end up together in America. While everything is trying to force them apart they want to be together even though there might just be a few too many differences for that to happen.
I loved the older Jude Deveraux historical romances and missed them with her most recent books. But this one just didn't have the same kick to it the rest did. I loved reading her Montgomery books and couldn't get enough of them. And while this book was still good it just didn't grab me the same way. I wanted to see more of them in this Edilean town. I wanted more about how Edilean became the business woman she became. I just wanted more.
Showing posts with label historical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label historical. Show all posts
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Book Review: Wed Him Before You Bed Him
Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries
Thoughts: It is really a story of miscommunication. Seeing something that isn’t true and coming to your own conclusions. It shows that it is a bad idea to let that happen as many people do in their own lives. Add to that a romance story based back in a time when women weren’t reallyl allowed to have careers.
It was nice to finally see Charlotte Harris the owner of the school getting her own story. I think these books are very similar in style to her other books in the series. If you want a good romance this will definitely hit the spot.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Thoughts: It is really a story of miscommunication. Seeing something that isn’t true and coming to your own conclusions. It shows that it is a bad idea to let that happen as many people do in their own lives. Add to that a romance story based back in a time when women weren’t reallyl allowed to have careers.
It was nice to finally see Charlotte Harris the owner of the school getting her own story. I think these books are very similar in style to her other books in the series. If you want a good romance this will definitely hit the spot.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Monday, January 25, 2010
Book Review: Seducing an Angel
Seducing an Angel by Mary Balogh
Thoughts: How would you feel if the only reason for the romance starting up is that you need money or you will be left destitute (as well as your friends). So instead you find a man who is willing to pay you to be his mistress. But he is much more of a stand-up man so he won’t do it. He will give you the money but he won’t let you put yourself out that way.
It was nice to see “little” Stephen from the books about his sisters finally find the person he belonged with. I am really looking forward to what his cousin finds in a woman. She has to be someone special.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Thoughts: How would you feel if the only reason for the romance starting up is that you need money or you will be left destitute (as well as your friends). So instead you find a man who is willing to pay you to be his mistress. But he is much more of a stand-up man so he won’t do it. He will give you the money but he won’t let you put yourself out that way.
It was nice to see “little” Stephen from the books about his sisters finally find the person he belonged with. I am really looking forward to what his cousin finds in a woman. She has to be someone special.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Book Review: What Happens In London
What Happens In London by Julia Quinn
Description: Olivia Bevelstoke has heard that her next door neighbor Sir Harry has killed his fiancé. Is that just the gossip in London making things up or is it true. For someone who is beautiful but has a brain in her head – Olivia is generally bored by what is going on in her life. So she decides to watch him and find out.
Meanwhile Harry is back from the continent and the war. But the war office still has things for him to do. So he can’t help but be suspicious when he sees the girl next door watching him. What could she be doing that for? When war activities force them to be together – Harry realizes he can’t live without Olivia.
Thoughts: Generally I don’t like books with lots of war talk. But this one has a nice combination. Yes there is a plot twist that involves Napoleon but really it takes a back door to the story of Harry and Olivia. Until I had gotten in the book I hadn’t realized that this was a second book in a series where her friend Miranda had already had her book. Olivia was the mean one in that book. I think it is good that I had forgotten all of that as that allowed me to for a new opinion of her for this one.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Description: Olivia Bevelstoke has heard that her next door neighbor Sir Harry has killed his fiancé. Is that just the gossip in London making things up or is it true. For someone who is beautiful but has a brain in her head – Olivia is generally bored by what is going on in her life. So she decides to watch him and find out.
Meanwhile Harry is back from the continent and the war. But the war office still has things for him to do. So he can’t help but be suspicious when he sees the girl next door watching him. What could she be doing that for? When war activities force them to be together – Harry realizes he can’t live without Olivia.
Thoughts: Generally I don’t like books with lots of war talk. But this one has a nice combination. Yes there is a plot twist that involves Napoleon but really it takes a back door to the story of Harry and Olivia. Until I had gotten in the book I hadn’t realized that this was a second book in a series where her friend Miranda had already had her book. Olivia was the mean one in that book. I think it is good that I had forgotten all of that as that allowed me to for a new opinion of her for this one.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Book Review: Not Quite a Husband
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
Description:Byrony Asquith is a doctor when no other women in her time are. She had fallen in love with neighbor Leo Marsden in her youth and couldn’t believe that he wanted her to. But that didn’t work out and it left her with a broken heart and a need to escape. Now Leo is back to bring her home because of an emergency. Can each of them work past their reasons for wanting to separate to get back together?
Thoughts:This book was a unique one in romance because the two main characters shared a past that you never really see. You get mini-flashbacks of a few important times in their lives and finally begin to understand what drove them apart. Mainly a lack of communication. They both really loved each other.
I don’t think I enjoyed the setting so much – but that is because I like more regency romances and this is set in the wilds of India. It is beautiful and scary (with war going on) but not something in terms of a setting that I really was all that interested in. Everyone has their favorite places.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Description:Byrony Asquith is a doctor when no other women in her time are. She had fallen in love with neighbor Leo Marsden in her youth and couldn’t believe that he wanted her to. But that didn’t work out and it left her with a broken heart and a need to escape. Now Leo is back to bring her home because of an emergency. Can each of them work past their reasons for wanting to separate to get back together?
Thoughts:This book was a unique one in romance because the two main characters shared a past that you never really see. You get mini-flashbacks of a few important times in their lives and finally begin to understand what drove them apart. Mainly a lack of communication. They both really loved each other.
I don’t think I enjoyed the setting so much – but that is because I like more regency romances and this is set in the wilds of India. It is beautiful and scary (with war going on) but not something in terms of a setting that I really was all that interested in. Everyone has their favorite places.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Friday, September 25, 2009
Book Review: Passion and Pleasure in London
Passion and Pleasure in London by Melody Thomas
Description: Winter is all but abandoned when her father dies and her mother is left insane. She is responsible for more than just herself and her brother - she is responsible for her village. Imagine her surprise when her newest "target" isn't just a rich man coming through the village but instead someone who seems to be here to stay.
But what man would want a thief who has secrets? Can Rory Jameson the true heir to the local estate be that man?
Thoughts: I wasn't sure that I would like a book where the woman was a thief and the man was a former spy working for the Crown. A lot of those books have way too much detail about things that don't entertain me. But I was pleasantly surprised. This book focused on all the things it should have. Their romance. Their lives. Their families. It made it an interesting and quick read.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Description: Winter is all but abandoned when her father dies and her mother is left insane. She is responsible for more than just herself and her brother - she is responsible for her village. Imagine her surprise when her newest "target" isn't just a rich man coming through the village but instead someone who seems to be here to stay.
But what man would want a thief who has secrets? Can Rory Jameson the true heir to the local estate be that man?
Thoughts: I wasn't sure that I would like a book where the woman was a thief and the man was a former spy working for the Crown. A lot of those books have way too much detail about things that don't entertain me. But I was pleasantly surprised. This book focused on all the things it should have. Their romance. Their lives. Their families. It made it an interesting and quick read.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Book Review: Cleopatra's Daughter
Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
Description: This is the story of Cleopatra and Mark Antony's children told from the perspective of their daughter Selene. She has been captured by Octavian and taken back to Rome. She is forced from Egypt to live in a new land. Neither a slave, not a freed person she doesn't know where she is to go next. Meanwhile in Rome there is a rebellion going on with the slaves. Can she survive the political minefield that is going on?
Thoughts: I haven't spent a lot of time reading about Roman history because it tends to be told from a dry perspective. But I love Rome (I was there a few years back). It is beautiful and the history is amazing. For me this book was the perfect foil for the backdrop of Rome. It was intriguing telling a story that I hadn't heard a million times before (I didn't even know that Selene had existed). I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction!
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Fiction
Overall:
Description: This is the story of Cleopatra and Mark Antony's children told from the perspective of their daughter Selene. She has been captured by Octavian and taken back to Rome. She is forced from Egypt to live in a new land. Neither a slave, not a freed person she doesn't know where she is to go next. Meanwhile in Rome there is a rebellion going on with the slaves. Can she survive the political minefield that is going on?
Thoughts: I haven't spent a lot of time reading about Roman history because it tends to be told from a dry perspective. But I love Rome (I was there a few years back). It is beautiful and the history is amazing. For me this book was the perfect foil for the backdrop of Rome. It was intriguing telling a story that I hadn't heard a million times before (I didn't even know that Selene had existed). I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction!
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Fiction
Overall:
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Book Review: The Greatest Knight
The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick
Description: William Marshal starts of a penniless knight and eventually becomes a favorite of a Queen (and her sons). Queen Elanor of Aquitaine finds William when he risks his life for hers (as any good knight would do) and she realizes she has found a man whose loyalty can rival none.
William becomes a mainstay in the life of the Queen and her children. He follows them through their travails and becomes an integral part of the politics of that time. But life in court is never easy and William risks his life by being a favorite.
Thoughts:I like historical fiction. The problem is I find some of it to be too dry to keep me entertained. At the same time I don't want anything that doesn't have enough history and fact in it to keep me also intrigued. This was a nice blend of both. The story was one I didn't know anything about - so I wasn't sure if I would like it. It is also told from the male perspective - again something that I don't always like. But for me this story - told over years of William's life - was a great piece of historical fiction.
For anyone who likes this time period - I would recommend this book!
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Fiction
Overall:
Description: William Marshal starts of a penniless knight and eventually becomes a favorite of a Queen (and her sons). Queen Elanor of Aquitaine finds William when he risks his life for hers (as any good knight would do) and she realizes she has found a man whose loyalty can rival none.
William becomes a mainstay in the life of the Queen and her children. He follows them through their travails and becomes an integral part of the politics of that time. But life in court is never easy and William risks his life by being a favorite.
Thoughts:I like historical fiction. The problem is I find some of it to be too dry to keep me entertained. At the same time I don't want anything that doesn't have enough history and fact in it to keep me also intrigued. This was a nice blend of both. The story was one I didn't know anything about - so I wasn't sure if I would like it. It is also told from the male perspective - again something that I don't always like. But for me this story - told over years of William's life - was a great piece of historical fiction.
For anyone who likes this time period - I would recommend this book!
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Fiction
Overall:
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Book Review: The Devil's Queen
The Devil’s Queen by Anne Kalogridis
Description:Catherine deMedici was destined to be a great queen – and through fate and her own strong will she becomes one. But her dependence on those that foretell the future is not something that many of her people will understand. She just wants to be loved. She wants her children to grow and survive like she did. But did she do to much to get the children that she wanted? Did she touch the devil? Does that mean her children are destined to have the mark of the devil as well?
Thoughts:I haven’t read a lot about her time period/reign before. I like historical fiction and this is definitely an interesting read. It is not dry and doesn’t include too much fact so much that you feel like you are reading a history book. But at the same time it does include enough that you feel like you may be really there. I wonder what drove the obsession with those astrologers that would predict things for the people of that time. They walked a fine line between helping and connecting with the devil. This book made me wonder more about Catherine’s children and the deMedici family as I have heard them many times in the past but really didn’t know all that much about them. Now I can tell they are closely tied with the rulers of that time period.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Fiction
Overall:
Description:Catherine deMedici was destined to be a great queen – and through fate and her own strong will she becomes one. But her dependence on those that foretell the future is not something that many of her people will understand. She just wants to be loved. She wants her children to grow and survive like she did. But did she do to much to get the children that she wanted? Did she touch the devil? Does that mean her children are destined to have the mark of the devil as well?
Thoughts:I haven’t read a lot about her time period/reign before. I like historical fiction and this is definitely an interesting read. It is not dry and doesn’t include too much fact so much that you feel like you are reading a history book. But at the same time it does include enough that you feel like you may be really there. I wonder what drove the obsession with those astrologers that would predict things for the people of that time. They walked a fine line between helping and connecting with the devil. This book made me wonder more about Catherine’s children and the deMedici family as I have heard them many times in the past but really didn’t know all that much about them. Now I can tell they are closely tied with the rulers of that time period.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Fiction
Overall:
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Book Review: Some Like It Wild
Some Like it Wild by Teresa Medeiros
Description: Pamela Darby needs someone to pretend to be a duke's long lost heir. So when she runs across Connor Kincaid as he is robbing their carriage - she knows he is exactly the man that she needs for this sort of thing. Pamela isn't normally a person who would lie and cheat to get what she wants - but she needs to find out who her mother's killer is (and stop her sister from selling herself to the highest bidder).
Connor and Pamela embark on a journey that will bring them the truths that they want and solve their mysteries. But will they be able to end up together?
Thoughts: Sometimes when writing these reviews I just don't know what to say. How do I say something for the 100 and something time and make it unique. You can't (or at least I can't because I am not that good of a writer - I don't do this to show my skills for writing. I do this because I like to share my thoughts on the things I read.)
Well this is a good historical romance. Is it totally different then anything I have ever read - no. But is it entertaining and has a good plot line that I don't read in every book at every corner - yes. If you like this genre it is probably not a bad idea to pick it up.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Description: Pamela Darby needs someone to pretend to be a duke's long lost heir. So when she runs across Connor Kincaid as he is robbing their carriage - she knows he is exactly the man that she needs for this sort of thing. Pamela isn't normally a person who would lie and cheat to get what she wants - but she needs to find out who her mother's killer is (and stop her sister from selling herself to the highest bidder).
Connor and Pamela embark on a journey that will bring them the truths that they want and solve their mysteries. But will they be able to end up together?
Thoughts: Sometimes when writing these reviews I just don't know what to say. How do I say something for the 100 and something time and make it unique. You can't (or at least I can't because I am not that good of a writer - I don't do this to show my skills for writing. I do this because I like to share my thoughts on the things I read.)
Well this is a good historical romance. Is it totally different then anything I have ever read - no. But is it entertaining and has a good plot line that I don't read in every book at every corner - yes. If you like this genre it is probably not a bad idea to pick it up.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Book Review: The Corinthian
The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer
Description:Penelope Creed will do anything to stop the marriage she is being forced into. Even if it means dressing as a boy and running from London. On her way she meets Sir Richard Wyndham. Sir Richard knows he can't let Penelope run around the countryside on her own - so he offers to be her protector. What happens when he can't escape her love?
Penelope doesn't want someone who is there to watch over her - she only wants to find her true love. So she will do whatever it takes to get away from Sir Richard. Peneolope is an heiress who has yet to find her way into society and Sir Richard is the "Corinthian" of the London society
Thoughts: As with many of Heyer's books this starts out with a simple story that is intertwined with with madcap episodes of a girl who can get into trouble. For me this is an interesting book but there were parts of it that wasn't my favorite book. Probably the fact that the details of society, costumes, inns, etc got to be a little to much for me. But for those that can't wait to have the descriptions be accurate and life like this book is definitely for you.
Like many of the hero's in Heyer's books - Sir Richard is bored with life and seems like he will never marry. Enter a heroine who is young and naive and yet can't stay out of trouble. I see how Heyer is considered the mother of the modern historical romance as many of her books when thinking about them compare to the same stories I read all the time (each of course with their own twists and subplots).
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Description:Penelope Creed will do anything to stop the marriage she is being forced into. Even if it means dressing as a boy and running from London. On her way she meets Sir Richard Wyndham. Sir Richard knows he can't let Penelope run around the countryside on her own - so he offers to be her protector. What happens when he can't escape her love?
Penelope doesn't want someone who is there to watch over her - she only wants to find her true love. So she will do whatever it takes to get away from Sir Richard. Peneolope is an heiress who has yet to find her way into society and Sir Richard is the "Corinthian" of the London society
Thoughts: As with many of Heyer's books this starts out with a simple story that is intertwined with with madcap episodes of a girl who can get into trouble. For me this is an interesting book but there were parts of it that wasn't my favorite book. Probably the fact that the details of society, costumes, inns, etc got to be a little to much for me. But for those that can't wait to have the descriptions be accurate and life like this book is definitely for you.
Like many of the hero's in Heyer's books - Sir Richard is bored with life and seems like he will never marry. Enter a heroine who is young and naive and yet can't stay out of trouble. I see how Heyer is considered the mother of the modern historical romance as many of her books when thinking about them compare to the same stories I read all the time (each of course with their own twists and subplots).
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Book Review: The Last Hellion
The Last Hellion by Loretta Chase
Description: Lydia Greenville is a writer who wants to help the world. She sees the young women in the town getting abused and forced into prostitution and she will do anything to stop that - even if it means putting herself in danger as well. Lydia has no use for men and is a bit of a unique woman of the time in that she does things other women cannot get away with.
Meanwhile Vere Mallory is used to being one of the wild ones. He has been hurt by those he loves dieing and he has little use for opening his heart up for another abuse. Lydia though is entertaining on a level he never thought he could be entertained on. Can he open his heart to her? Can he deal with her wild side?
Thoughts: One of the things that stuck out to me in this book (which really has little to do with the story) was the author's use of footnotes. If the author refers to someone from a previous book there is a little footnote at the bottom of the page that tells me what year the book was made in and what book it was. It is definitely interesting and makes you more likely to pick up whatever book has that character in it.
Now on to the story. It is a good story. Entertaining. A classic romance novel. The beginning and end stuck out to me as being unique more in the way they were written then in the story itself. Either way it kept me entertained and wanting to read more.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Description: Lydia Greenville is a writer who wants to help the world. She sees the young women in the town getting abused and forced into prostitution and she will do anything to stop that - even if it means putting herself in danger as well. Lydia has no use for men and is a bit of a unique woman of the time in that she does things other women cannot get away with.
Meanwhile Vere Mallory is used to being one of the wild ones. He has been hurt by those he loves dieing and he has little use for opening his heart up for another abuse. Lydia though is entertaining on a level he never thought he could be entertained on. Can he open his heart to her? Can he deal with her wild side?
Thoughts: One of the things that stuck out to me in this book (which really has little to do with the story) was the author's use of footnotes. If the author refers to someone from a previous book there is a little footnote at the bottom of the page that tells me what year the book was made in and what book it was. It is definitely interesting and makes you more likely to pick up whatever book has that character in it.
Now on to the story. It is a good story. Entertaining. A classic romance novel. The beginning and end stuck out to me as being unique more in the way they were written then in the story itself. Either way it kept me entertained and wanting to read more.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Book Reveiw: Devil of the Highlands
Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands
Description:Evelinde has been forced to live with her evil step mother ever since her father died and her brother went off to war. So she is wary when she finds out she is to marry Cullen, Laird of Donnachaidh. He has a reputation for being a killer. But when Evelinde meets Cullen she realizes there is no way that the man in front of her would kill those in his family.
Off Evelinde goes to Scotland, where she is ready to embrace the clan as Cullen's wife. But as soon as she gets there she can't help but stick her nose in just about everything - especially the truth of the rumors surrounding her husband. This may put her in danger. Can she and her husband figure out what their true feelings for each other are - before someone tears them apart?
Thoughts: This is a really good historical romance. I have loved Lynsay Sands since I started reading her vampire books and her historical's also have the great story telling we all love.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Description:Evelinde has been forced to live with her evil step mother ever since her father died and her brother went off to war. So she is wary when she finds out she is to marry Cullen, Laird of Donnachaidh. He has a reputation for being a killer. But when Evelinde meets Cullen she realizes there is no way that the man in front of her would kill those in his family.
Off Evelinde goes to Scotland, where she is ready to embrace the clan as Cullen's wife. But as soon as she gets there she can't help but stick her nose in just about everything - especially the truth of the rumors surrounding her husband. This may put her in danger. Can she and her husband figure out what their true feelings for each other are - before someone tears them apart?
Thoughts: This is a really good historical romance. I have loved Lynsay Sands since I started reading her vampire books and her historical's also have the great story telling we all love.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
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