Monday, June 5, 2017

Romancing Daphne

(I wasn't sure I liked the cover at first but after having read the book, I think it's perfect.)

Sarah Eden has done it again.  It amazes me how she churns them out so quickly!  It is completely fine with me though as she is one of the few authors that I never worry about putting something in the book that I feel is inappropriate.

This is the story of the third Lancaster sister.  It refers back multiple times to the second sister, and Sister #1 and her husband are a large part of this book as well.  So, if it's been a while since you have read those two books, you might want to refresh your memory (if you have the time and patience) by giving them a quick read through before you pick up this lovely story.
My rating:

****1/2
G
Nothing Offensive!
Heartily Recommend!

My cute grandma shared with me that as she read it, she was frustrated with the shy and insecure Daphne but overall she loved the story :)
Ms. Eden does go into detail about her main characters' feelings and emotions and for me, that makes them real and relatable.
I found this to be a very satisfying and charming read.

Behind the Scenes


Let me start by saying that Jen Turano's books make me laugh.  Even though most of the pickles in which her heroines find themselves aren't very realistic or believable, her books always bring a smile to my face.  Her characters are vivid and witty and her writing is delightful.


Such is the same with Behind the Scenes.  This is the first book in her 'Wallflower' series.
Here is how I rated it...

****
G
{UM}
Easily Recommend

The {UM} included a mention of a woman's 'bountiful charms' ahem..., a mention of risque pictures, and the possibility of a man having illegitimate children.

There is a bit of a mystery element in this one, which I always enjoy, but overall the book is rather lighthearted and enjoyable.

I very much look forward to reading about Ms. Turano's other wallflowers :)


Thursday, May 18, 2017

Miss Whitaker Opens Her Heart

I have to admit, I am often a bit embarrassed when people ask what kind of books I like to read.
I don't like the stereotype that comes to most minds when I respond "Romances".
I will often say "Historical Fiction" which is also a true answer...I love historical fiction and I slyly think to myself that Regency Romances could be thrown into that category as well since the Regency Era was an historical period...right? ;)
I guess I feel like I should be spending my time reading more than just "fluff" for lack of a better word.  That's why I like it when "romances" have a bit more substance to them.

Such as in...

Jennifer Moore is one of those few authors that I know I can preorder her books and not be sorry I own them after I have read them.  Hers have always been clean and sweet.

Here's the breakdown of my rating:

****
PG
{UM}?  {TMP}?  {GS}?
Easily Recommend

Okay, I have to explain...I think that because I am now reviewing these online I am being extra picky :)...hence all the question marks.  I don't know that I would have given any of these three in my private, written reviews.  I just want to make sure I'm covering all my bases.

  The one {UM} I can think of is when she comes upon him refreshing himself in a river without a shirt on. 

The {GS} is not really that graphic and it isn't violent but I thought I should include it as it might disturb some people :)  It could also be categorized as an {UM}.
The main female character owns a sheep ranch and assists one of the ewes giving birth.  It isn't explained in great detail and is tastefully done.  However, if you didn't grow up on a farm or watching Dr. Harriot doing the the same thing in All Creatures Great and Small like I did, then it might be a tad alarming.

The {TMP} was really not that bad, but again, extra picky!
I guess now I feel like I should mention anything beyond it saying 'he kissed her'...which, let's be honest, no one ever writes that :)
It always kind of bugs me a bit when the phrase 'he deepened the kiss' is used...Jennifer uses it once in this book so maybe that's why I felt it earned this rating.

Overall, I loved the story!  The substance I mentioned earlier is an internal battle that the female protagonist wages in her heart about trust and forgiveness.  I felt it added quite a bit of depth.

Thanks to Jennifer Moore for another lovely Regency!

*** An added bonus about Jennifer is that she often writes about countries other than England and through these wonderful books, you learn about new cultures and geographic lands.  For instance, in Miss Whitaker she describes an Echidna, and Australian mammal.  I had to look it up and see what it looked like because I was so curious :)

Thursday, May 11, 2017

The Rise of Miss Notley

*Please read the My Rating System tab above if you are not familiar with its contents.
It explains what my goal is and how I review books.  Thanks!



The first book I have chosen to formally review on my blog is...


This is the second in a series called Tanglewood.

The first book, The Fall of Lord Drayson, was sweet.  I really enjoyed it except for one sentence that I actually crossed out with a sharpie about him wanting to carry her off to a bedroom.  Also, the kisses were described in a bit too much detail for my taste so I gave it a moderate {TMP} rating.

Back to Miss Notley...here is how my rating panned out...

**** 
PG
a little {TMP} , a little {BSt} , 1 or 2 {UM} 
Probably Recommend

I really enjoyed the story.  Rachael Anderson has a nice style that is easy to read.
The {BS} issue is that a the main character recalls how a woman suggested to him years earlier that they have an inappropriate relationship.  He turns her down, thank goodness, but there is that.

Again, there is a bit more description of the intimate moments than I prefer so it received a mild {TMP}.

And the {UM}s were because there is talk about minor characters in the book speculating that there might be an inappropriate relationship occurring between the two main characters.

Overall, a sweet read and I will probably feel comfortable recommending it with a bit of an explanation of the undesirable elements :)