The Darkest Kiss

The Darkest Kiss by Keri Arthur

What was this book about?

Riley Jenson is part of the Directorate – a group of otherworldly creatures that investigate murders (and other crimes). Riley was forced into by the fact that she is part werewolf and part vamp. This crime fighting life isn’t what she always dreamed of and her lover has left her because he cannot deal with the strain of everything.

Riley’s murder investigations start with society’s best getting murdered by some sort of cat like creature. Riley isn’t used to the bad guy’s getting away from her and she is determined to stop them.

Later another set of murders that seem like they can’t be connected begin. She has two murders out in the world and will stop them no matter the price.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

If you like Riley Jenson books I believe that you will like this one as well. In some ways it is the same old, same old. Riley needs to go out and find the bad guy, and her personal relationships will get in the way.

While Riley’s books seem like the kind books that I would just love there are some things that are just missing for me. I very much liked the first of the series books but my interest in them seems to be waning. It isn’t that they are bad – they just don’t hold my interest as well. I want to focus on the interpersonal relationships of Riley and her brother, how the werewolves, vampires, etc all interact in this way.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal

Overall:

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge

Dark Needs at Night’s Edge by Kresley Cole (Immortals After Dark Series Book 5)

What was this book about?

Neomi Laress is the victim of a brutal murder in the 1920’s. She was a professional ballerina that seemed to have it all until a cast-away lover decides to reek revenge on her for the pain his broken heart has caused. Her death leaves her a ghost in the house she loved and worked for. She is forced to stay there, with no interaction with anyone as they cannot see or hear her.

Conrad Wroth hated vampires and even though over 300 years has passed since his brother’s made him one – he cannot forgive them. He has been feeding from many creatures and their blood contains their memories – so now so does he. It is making him crazy. His brother’s are convinced they can find his “Bride” and he can go back to being the loving brother that they all want him to be.

Conrad sees Neomi and can’t help but be drawn to her. But what hope to a vampire and a ghost have for a future?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Conrad has a complex character in that he is neither evil nor good. Yet when he meets Neomi he can’t help but be drawn to her and by being drawn to her he becomes a better man then he was alone.

It is always interesting to meet the author’s views of these world’s for the first time. They can be highly complex and totally unique, or much more like the fairy tales of old. In this case I would say it is totally unique. An interesting take on vampires, ghosts, the world. And while it alludes to other books – I believe it can stand on its own in the series.

Overall I really enjoyed it and plan on reading more of this series in the future.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal Romance

Overall:

Blood Noir

Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel)

What was this book about?

Anita has a life that many others do not. She lives with several “boyfriends”, is the human familiar of the Master Vampire of the City, and is a Vampire Hunter. She has complicated relationships with everyone around her – especially the men.

When best friend and sometimes lover Jason Schuyler needs someone to come home to meet his parents he doesn’t even have to ask – Anita volunteers. Jason and his father have a complicated relationship where he has always believed that Jason was gay. So Jason needs someone to pretend to be his girlfriend.

Unfortunately, the return home has many more complications. Jason’s hometown has some secrets of its own and they threaten both Jason and Anita. Not only that but Marmee Noir, the mother of all vampires, is ready to see what she can do to get Anita under her power.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

The book is a decent story on its own. The only thing I would argue with was that I missed the interaction with all the other characters. This book is like “Jason’s Story” with little other forward movement on the overarching plot of Jean Claude, Nathaniel, Micah etc.

I missed the other characters. While it is always fun to see Anita and get a glimpse into her head – I wanted just a little more. Then again – I would always recommend the Anita Blake novels to anyone who likes vampires and is not afraid of some graphic non-traditional sex scenes.

What genre would you consider this?
Paranormal

Overall:

Domestic Affairs

Domestic Affairs by Eileen Goudge



What was this book about?

Abigail, Lily, and Vaughn grow up as best friends. There seems to be no difference between them even though their social classes should demand it, see Abigail is the housekeeper’s daughter. When a horrible confrontation between Abigail and the twin’s mother forces Abigail and her mother out into the street – Abigail blames Lily for not sticking up for them.

Years pass and everything turns topsy turvey. Abigail is the CEO of a major corporation that she built from the ground up. Lily has just been devastated by her husband’s suicide and the fact that this time her and her son are left to be on the street.

Lily decides to approach Abigail after not having seen her in years. Can she get a job? Abigail decides to “repay” Lily for everything by letting her be her housekeeper (which Lily is definitely not ready to do). She takes the job and everyone finds a little more out about themselves and the complexities of the relationships.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Eileen Goudge does a great job at figuring out the nature of how people interact. The reasons behind actions. They teach you that things are not always what they seem and that figuring out the whole picture often sheds light on more then you could ever have imagined.

I enjoy her books for things start out rough but in the end things work themselves out. Maybe not in a fairy tale way – but instead on what is best for everyone involved.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

Blame it on Cupid

Blame it on Cupid by Jennifer Greene



What was this book about?

Fun loving, girly girl Merry becomes the guardian of an 11 year old girl she hasn’t seen in years. She can’t help but want to give that girl everything she never had – a stable loving environment. Charlene (“Charlie”) is nothing like what Merry is expecting. Having been raised by a single father, who is now dead – Charlie is anything but into pink frilly things.

Next door neighbor Jack can’t help but think at first that flighty Merry isn’t going to last long. But instead he realizes there is much more behind her fun exterior. He can’t stop his attraction to her and his teenage sons can’t help but look to her for comfort.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is a fun, flirty romance. All the children have unique personalities that only help the romance progress. And Jack and Merry are more then what they seem on the surface.

What genre would you consider this?
Romance

Overall:

Gideon

Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank (Nightwalkers Book 1)

What was this book about?

The Daemon world has been totally changed by the relationship of Jacob and Bella (in Book 1). They are now expecting a child and everyone knows this is the future of the Daemon world and they must protect it. Gideon is the healer for the Daemon’s and is years old. He has known Magdelegna (Legna) since she was a child, but recent feelings for each other cannot be denied.

They have Imprinted – and having two Daemon’s imprint is quite rare. They need to work through the issues that Imprinting brings as well as figure out who wants to kill Bella and her child.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It is almost one big story (the Nightwalker Books). It continues on from story to story but at the same time doesn’t leave you feeling like you aren’t going to get a conclusion in the story that you are reading. You meet characters in early books and are able to follow them to “where they belong”. And once they are “done” with a couple they don’t leave totally, they just are not as much of a focus as they once were. And they aren’t a gratuitous pop-in just to let you see them – they have major character and plotline development. I can’t wait to see what happens to Noah and Damien.

Also if you want to take it to another level – the book shows you that just sticking to your kind will end with the destruction of all. You need to have friends that are Druids, Lycanthropes or Vampires. You need to mate with them and continue your races with them or the world will essentially end.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall:

Chasing Harry Winston

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

What was this book about?

Three women have been friends since college. They each have their own distinct personalities and yet they can’t help but rely on each other for emotional support.

Emmy is the girl next door – sweet, innocent, and loving. What she wants most out of life is a wonderful husband and children. She has been with the same man for over 5 years but he doesn’t seem ready to take the next step. When he leaves her for a younger woman she can’t help but evaluate the sacrifices she made for him. Her friends and family tell her that she is lucky to be rid of him but she doesn’t know if she believes it. She is ready to go out and finally have a fling or two before she settles down.

Adriana is a beautiful rich girl who relies on her parents to provide for her. She flitters from job to job, man to man. She has what to some would be the perfect life of no commitment. Yet when she hears her friends talking about their jobs she feels left out. She knows that her beauty isn’t going to last forever (her mother can’t help but remind her of it over and over and over again). She agrees that she is ready to move on and change her life – she is going to settle down and get engaged in the next year. With no prospects on the horizon it will be harder for her then just finding a man – she needs to find herself to be happy.

The final member of this trio – Leigh has the life her friends dream of. The perfect man – handsome and loving who wants to spend his life with her. The perfect job – a book editor who seems to be rising in the ranks very quickly. But Leigh’s panic and confronting the fact that this life may be perfect for others but isn’t perfect for you – is rising and she needs to confront it. When a job opportunity at work comes up to edit a world famous author – she jumps at the task and meanwhile is forced to figure out what she wants out of life.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book is the perfect realization that 1) the grass is always greener 2) what is good for some people is not what others need out of life 3) you don’t need a man to make you happy. Everyone has different goals and needs as people – be it in their relationships, jobs, or family.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall:

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book that I would want to give my single girlfriends.

Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity

Loose Girl: A Memoir of Promiscuity by Kerry Cohen

What was this book about?

Kerry suffers through her parents divorce in a way many children do – by rebelling. Her mother leaves to pursue her own dreams – giving into Kerry’s feelings of abandonment, and Kerry and her sister move in with their father. Kerry’s father really wants to be more of Kerry’s friend then an authority figure and she is left to do what she wants.

What Kerry wants to do is party, meet boys, do drugs and experiment. She wants attention and way to fill the void left in her heart and she does that by appealing to men. She wants them to love her and she finds out the easiest way for them to love her is sexually.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book is scary like no horror story I have ever read. I enjoyed it – don’t get me wrong. But the idea that someone’s daughter (or even mine someday) would behave in a way that leaves them open for so much pain and hurt is just frightening.

Her words and story are painfully honest and require every reader to think about themselves and how certain stories mimic their own past. Whether it was the innocent desire or need or even addiction to be loved by someone, or whether you put yourself in situations that had the possibilities that it could hurt you, there is something in there that I believe that every person out there can relate to.

What genre would you consider this?

Memoir/Biography

Overall:

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book I would never let my husband read if we were expecting a daughter.

Mrs. Perfect

Mrs. Perfect by Jane Porter

What was this book about?

Taylor Young grew up and moved on with her life. And it has turned into quite the life. She has a house many women drool over. She has a husband that loves her and she can’t help but be attracted to. She has three beautiful daughters.

One day she wakes up and realizes she doesn’t have everything she thought she did. Her husband is distant and keeping secrets that can affect the whole family. These aren’t the types of secrets that you can keep behind closed doors forever.

Taylor must work the drama with her family and her friends. She has to figure out what she is truly capable of – what she is willing to do with her life. And through it all she becomes a better person.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I very much enjoyed this life. It seems like Taylor’s problem is one that many women and many relationships face. It is much easier to concentrate on the things that affect you and let your partner take care of things like finances, the children, or something. But long term living in a bubble like that can take it’s toll on you.

This book is neither preachy nor fluffy. It has a good lesson for everyone and it tells a great story.

Everybody dreams of having a life like Taylor’s but in the end no life is perfect. Behind closed doors something is happening to everyone. Sometimes hard work is the best reward, because it makes you evaluate what you have and cherish the effort it takes to have it.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Best Summer Read!

Jacob

Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank (Nightwalkers Book 1)

What was this book about?

Jacob is a Daemon who enforces the laws of the community. He must keep Daemons from hurting humans. When he meets Isabella, he can’t help but be drawn to her. She is human but also seems to have skills and abilities that humans should not have.

From there it is a journey to discover why Isabella seems to be able to do what she can do. Does this mean that Jacob and Bella can be together? (Since currently that is outlawed for fear that it would hurt the humans).

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed this book. It shed light on many things I hadn’t really totally understood about the Nightwalkers. Starting at the beginning of this series isn’t required but nice to fully understand all the intricacies of what is happening later on.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall: B, I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

Stray

Stray by Rachel Vincent

fWhat was this book about?

Faythe Sanders has lived a life as one of the few tabbies in a world of werecats. This means she is protected, loved, and sheltered. But Faythe wants more then that – she wants freedom. After escaping the sheltered existence of living in her fathers compound she goes to school, gets a human boyfriend (Andrew) and has friends.

Then things change in the werecat community. Someone is out to kidnap their tabbies. Several have disappeared and there is no way that Faythe’s brothers, father, and ex-boyfriend are going to let that happen to her.

Faythe can’t help but chafe under the new restrictions. She wants nothing more then to find her friends before it is too late. Also, she doesn’t want to live in this life of warecats – she wants to find herself. To add to the complications, her ex-boyfriend Marc, still gets her riled up like no one else and she needs to make sure that she doesn’t let either of them get hurt.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It took a little time at the beginning. The book was mostly about how she didn’t want to be there but that the community, her father – the Alpha, and everyone else was making her stay. She tried and tried to escape but it just wasn’t happening.

Then things shifted. Faythe became more aware of herself and the community that she was a part of whether she wanted to be or not. That is when the story picks up.

It seems almost like this is book 1 not only of a series but in a larger story. Where we find out what is up with Andrew, what they were kidnapping the women for. Will Faythe become the leader of the werecats.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal

Overall: B+

The Senator’s Wife

The Senator’s Wife by Sue Miller

What was this book about?

Delia Naughton is in her 70’s and lives alone. She spent most of her life married to a senator who wanted nothing more then to run around on her. When a couple moves next door to her she cannot help being friends with them. Meri is a woman who knows her husband well, but is not getting what she wants from him. When she becomes pregnant she begins to visit Delia’s house and learn more about her. She wants Delia to be her friend, fit in her life. The relationships on both sides are complicated but they all grow from the circumstances that surround them.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

At some point I really thought that Delia and Meri were going to be friends. But they just aren’t. They are too different of people. Meri has major issues both with her self and her idea of what motherhood should or should not be. She can’t seem to get past that and that is damaging to relationships. Meanwhile Delia has lived a somewhat secret life with her adulterer husband – and she can’t seem to let him go.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: B-, Parts I really enjoyed but other parts were just odd..

Learning Curves

Learning Curves by Cindi Myers

What was this book about?

Shelly is the average woman. She is no size 4 but instead a size 12. For most women it wouldn’t be as big of a deal – but Shelly is in the TV industry and everyone seems to have a comment about her weight. Meanwhile, Jack is tired of being the beautiful guy on TV. He wants to be thought of for his journalism not for being a “stud”. When he starts his own PBS show he hires Shelly to be his co-anchor.

Neither of them can fight the attraction that they have for each other. But with everyone’s thoughts of what Shelly should look like – can she get past that and move on so that she can be happy in her life.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed the message of this book. It isn’t what you look like. You don’t have to be 100 pounds and skinny to have a good life, a good man, and a good career. In fact others may project their own feelings of insecurity on you but you shouldn’t let that affect how you feel about yourself. And even more then that whether you are good looking, overweight, or just the average person – everyone has problems with the way they look.

What genre would you consider this?

Contemporary Romance

Overall: B

Hold Tight

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

What was this book about?

Having a teen can be difficult work. When Mike and Tia’s son, Adam, begins acting weird they want to do everything they can to help him. His best friend recently committed suicide and they will do anything to keep him from repeating that mistake. So they decide to put a spy program on his computer. That way they can keep track of him.

Betsy Hill the mother of the teen who died of suicide – just wants to figure out what happened to her son. She figures out that Adam may have something to do with it and must track him down.

Next door neighbor Lucas Loriman is about to die if he doesn’t get a kidney transplant. But his father and him do not know what secrets his mother has – that could prevent it from happening.

When Adam disappears things are brought to a head. There is a lot going on in this neighborhood of what seems to be perfect, quiet families.


What did you like/dislike about the book?

I like how it all wrapped up at the end. Everything was brought in. They seemed to be almost divergent stories that you may not realize have something that makes them all intertwined.


What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: B

Immediate Family

Immediate Family by Eileen Goudge

What was this book about?

Four friends since college, begin telling their story at their 15 year college reunion. They have always been close but they learn that they are more then just friends – they are a family.

Jay is married to Viv and is about to have his first child. Things seem great on the surface, but Viv has way more energy then him. He would love to stay home and just relax as a family while she wants to have plans every night.

Franny wants nothing more then to have a child. She has a career but has yet to find love. Jay and Viv offer to help her by letting her have Jay’s child. What could be better a best friend and your child’s father?

Emerson grew up as the child of affluent parents. Then her father dies and she finds out the truth – they are broke. But her mother still would like to pretend everything is the way it was. Emerson has a good job and can now afford to get her mother everything she needs – even a nurse – because her mother is dieing. She has a good relationship with her ex-husband and a daughter she loves. What else could she want?

Lastly there is Stevie. Stevie has spent her entire life not knowing her her father was. When she finally finds out who he is – she can’t help but want to exonerate him from the gossip that has surrounded his life. Can her relationship with her father help her in her daily living? She can’t seem to commit to anyone – no marriage, no children.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I really enjoyed it. In some ways it brought me back to my college years. The friends, the relationships, the binding of people in a way that goes beyond blood. I found it to be quite enjoyable. If you want to read something about relationships this is the thing to read.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: A-

Family Tree

Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky

What was this book about?

Hugh grew up the child of two affluent people. He has always known his history, his ancestors, and in fact his father has made a living from it. Dana on the other hand was raised by her grandmother after her mother died, and has never known her father (or even who he was). She embraces Hugh’s history as her own because she has never really had one.

They couldn’t be happier – they are expecting their first child – but imagine their surprise when the child is born and has African American features. There has to be some African American blood in her from somewhere.

Of course that is when the finger pointing begins. Dana just loves her child and doesn’t understand the big deal. But feels forced to figure out her history. Her husband’s history is well known. But even within Hugh’s family hard feelings begin to be had. Hugh even doubts whether he is the baby’s father. What should be a happy occasion has turned into something much more.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

In some ways it scares me. That something that should be such a happy time can be shattered by a bunch of bigoted and evil people. I really don’t know if I could forgive my husband if he started to doubt that our first child was his, just based on what she/he looked like.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: B, I enjoyed it overall.

Wicked Lovely

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

What was this book about?

Aislinn has always been able to see faeries. They are scary and can never know her secret. One day she realizes that a faery king wants nothing else but to be with her. To have him bring back the Summer realm from his evil mother the Winter Queen. Aislinn may be the one the prophesies have spoken of – the only one that can save him and Summer from an endless winter.

Aislinn wants nothing to do with him. Her friend Seth is finally turning out to be more then a friend. She hates the faery folk. But it is too late – Keenan has already started the process. Aislinn can either join him as his Summer Queen (and risk turning into one of the girls that fail) or be one of his groupies. There are no other choices.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It took me a while to really like this book. But by the middle I didn’t want to put it down. I am hoping that she will continue this series on so that we can see how things play out between Seth, Aislinn, Keenan and Donia.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal/Teen Paranormal

Overall: B+

Goodnight Nobody

Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

What was this book about?

Stay at home mom (and former journalist) Kate Klein found herself in the position she is currently in – through no planning of her own. She went from being an up-and-coming city girl to a stay at home suburban mother of three children under the age of 5. Kate is doing everything she can to fit in with the suburban mom crowd but she just doesn’t seem to get it right.

Then everything changes when one of her neighbors and mother is killed and Kate is the one that finds her. Kate cannot help but be drawn into the story – she wants to find the truth. With the help of her friend carpet heiress Janie Segal she will find everything out. Her neighbor definitely had many secrets.

When one of these secrets puts Kate back in touch with her former flame, Eric McKenna, Kate must make a decision. Is the family that she has built worth the excitement that she is missing.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

For me in some parts it was just a little slow. You never know much about the killed housewife until she died (which may be good – no time to mourn her). But it just seems odd that it is that small of a world – that they are all connected.

What genre would you consider this?

Mystery/Fiction

Overall: B-

Wicked Game

Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready

What was this book about?

Ciara Griffin is a con artist who is trying to make her life better. She has been attending college (and still pulling a few cons). She needs to get a job in her career of marketing. She ends up finding a job in a radio station that hasn’t been doing so well. The DJ’s spend most of their time playing old music and they seem to be stuck in a time warp.

Ciara soon realizes that the DJ’s aren’t what they seemed to be – they are vampires. She wants to help them keep their radio station running so she comes up with an excellent marketing ploy. Lets tell the world that the DJs’ are vampires. No one would really believe it but it would definitely make for some good press.

Ciara also can’t fight her attraction to Shane – one of the vampires. But she is in a mess of trouble with the vampire community for her plan and she may not get out alive.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

After thinking I had read almost everything about vampires this book has brought up some interesting twists. Vampires are dependent on staying rooted both in their own time (the time they died) and the current state of being. They have OCD and just can’t change. It was kinda fun not to just see the beautiful, dark, and mysterious vampire community but instead some sort of flawed existence.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal/Paranormal Romance

Overall: B+

Predatory Game

Predatory Game by Christine Feehan (GhostWalker Book)

What was this book about?

Jess Calhoun and Saber Wynter are Ghostwalkers – people who have been genetically enhanced in order to give them psychic powers. Saber doesn’t realize what Jess is at first – she only knows she is incredibly attracted to him. She doesn’t want to be a GhostWalker and has been abused since she was a small child by the man who gave them all their powers. She will do anything to stay out of his clutches.

Meanwhile Jess just wants to take care of Saber. They have had an attraction since the beginning. Jess is on his own journey as well. After being injured in a mission he is now confined to a wheel chair and will try anything to get out of it.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoyed seeing Ken and Mari again. Also the whole transition from being a person who kills others to someone who can heal them is great. It is truly something that can happen in that there is little difference between someone who wants to heal and someone who wants to hurt – other than intention.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal Romance

Overall: B

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch


What was this book about?

Randy Pausch is a husband, a father of three, and a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University. He is invited to participate in their “Last Lecture” Series where professors speak for an hour about what they want to pass on or teach their students if they knew they were going to die shortly. The twist with Randy is that he knows he has only 3 – 6 months to live. He has been diagnosed with cancer and has 10 tumors in his liver alone.

Randy takes the time out of his last days with his family to prepare his last lecture. This book is essentially a replay of the knowledge that he wanted to pass on. This isn’t just for his students but is also something that his children (all quite young) can remember for years. It is like having a little piece of their father that is always available to them.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book is quite inspirational. He doesn’t just think about how his time is flying away, except as it applies to the time he wishes he could spend with his wife and children. I spent the entire time chocked up, but at the same time just thinking the thoughts in this book are happy.

What genre would you consider this?

Inspirational

Overall: A

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book I Want to Give my Mother for Christmas

Queen of the Darkness

Queen of the Darkness by Anne Bishop (Book 3 of the
Black Jewels Trilogy)

What was this book about?

Janelle has established her kingdom and is finally ready to take on Dorothea and Hekatah. She would rather not go to war, because she knows that her power could wreak havoc on the kingdom. Meanwhile Daemon has returned and is ready to take on the role of being the Queen’s consort. The history the two have together, as well as individually is definitely going to play a part in how the whole reunion goes.

Janelle must rely on her inner circle of Queens and Warlords to protect her. And must rely even more on her “brother” , “father” and consort. Daemon is a unknown to his brother and father and they aren’t really sure what side he may be on.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

It was nice to see things wrapped up. It didn’t go to quickly, giving the appropriate amount of detail. But it was what you were expecting. You knew that Janelle would have to go to battle and save them all.

What genre would you consider this?

Paranormal

Overall: B+, my favorite in the trilogy I think.

To Bed a Beauty

To Bed a Beauty by Nicole Jordan


What was this book about?

Middle sister, Roslyn Loring, has had a history of her parents not loving each other and the repercussions of that hurting her sisters and herself. She is convinced that she wants not only to get married, but to find someone who loves her and she can love. No mistresses for her husband – she will do whatever it takes to keep him interested in her.

Roslyn sets out with the help of family friend and courtesan Fanny to find out what men really want. She meets her brother-in-law’s best friend Drew Moncrief, a true disbeliever in love. Drew finds out her task and sets to “instructing” her on seduction so she can get the catch she really wants. Over time though he doesn’t want her getting the man she originally set out to catch – he wants her.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Part of me just really enjoys the premise. Women in that time could only do so much – but part of what Roslyn does is just try to find out what is going on in the world of love – experiment even. Then to start an attraction with the idea that one will teach the other, only to fall in love with each other is just a fun idea.

What genre would you consider this?

Historical Romance

Overall: B+

Names My Sisters Call Me

Names My Sisters Call Me by Megan Crane

What was this book about?

Courtney is the youngest of three sisters. She has felt as if she was always the oddball in her family – her father left her mother before she was even born. She can’t help but love them all just the way they are. Her mother – seems to have always been sad that her Courtney’s father has left and threw herself into her life. Norah, the oldest child, is used to being in control and having her directions followed. Raine the middle child has always been a little out of control, more worried about her artistic endeavors and being free then the feelings of those around her.

When Courtney becomes engaged she begins to want to pull her family back together. Raine has been an outcast for over 6 years now. She decides to visit Raine, also visiting her past – a boyfriend of hers that is best friends with Raine.

Courtney is forced to evaluate where she stands in life. Should she have made different decisions? Why did she do what she did? Why did her family members make the decisions that they did? Have they moved forward at all or are they all still the same hurt little girls?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Everyone has some sort of dysfunction in their family. Whether it is secret loves, outrageous siblings, embarrassing parents. There are of course different extremes in this, but is difficult both for someone to embrace these differences as well as the person that they would like to spend their lives with.

This book addresses some of the things in your life that you thought you always wanted, but what would have happened if you really had gotten them? Are you happy where you are or are things going to be always “grass is always greener”.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: A-

Her Only Desire

Her Only Desire by Gaelen Foley (Knight Family Novel)

What was this book about?

Georgiana Knight is the niece of the renowned “Hawkscliffe Harlotte”. She wants to be more then just a quiet society woman. She has grown up in India and would like to help the people that she has met there. She knows that the British government hasn’t treated them the way that she should.

Georgie meets up with family friend Ian Prescott. Ian is a governmental man that helps negotiate peace treaties. She is going to help him whether he wants her to or not. When their governmental intrigue presents itself as dangerous – Georgie must leave the country (and return to England) in order to protect herself. But that still may not be far enough.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Georgie is a strong woman character. She will give in (and isn’t just in it to be stubborn) she has intelligence which drives her.

What genre would you consider this?

Historical Romance

Overall: B