Bitchin' Blog Posts
: Authors, Q-S
January 19, 2012 | Thursday at 3:54 pm | 11 Comments
This book was a big departure from what I usually read. I don't as a rule like Austen sequels, and I don't like sequel stories that take place within the same family. Sometimes the portrayal of the same people by two different authors, especially when one is Jane Freaking Austen, is so jarring and different I can't read either book for awhile, the classic and its sequel.
When the author enquired whether I'd be interested in this book, I was caught between my usual "No, thank you" reaction to Austen Sequels, and the opportunity to read about Mary Bennet, who was the sister after Jane and Elizabeth that I most liked and wanted to find happiness. I'm glad I read this book, as it was familiar and enjoyable, though it didn't leave me with the almost mental exhaustion and feeling of admiration as I had finishing Pride & Prejudice, which, the first time I read it, was so compelling and absorbing I was all wrung out when I was done.
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December 07, 2011 | Wednesday at 3:29 pm | 89 Comments
This book made me mad. Really mad. Mad to the point where I'd mark passages that pissed me off and yell at the book instead of making a note. The hero is awful until about 75% of the way through the book, and the heroine lets everyone push her around and permits varying levels of cruelty. Her family is made up of some horrible people. Her conflict is real enough, but her decision-making ability as an adult is constantly questioned and undermined to the point where she makes the decision that everyone else wants, mostly because she abandons her perfectly valid arguments.
And that last bit is what pissed me off the most. In this book, the subtext is that family is more important than anything else, and the people who are your family deserve your undiverted loyalty, no matter how shitful, cruel, and hypocritical they are. Love and family are more important than anything else, even when that love and that family are the opposite of beneficial to the heroine.
That subtext wove through the book repeatedly, because that was the only…
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October 19, 2011 | Wednesday at 10:26 am | 130 Comments
I received an email from reader Maria, who told me about this book and said it was UNREAL in its bizarre badness. So of course I forwarded her description to RedHeadedGirl, who replied, and I quote, “WHAT IS THIS FUCKERY I NEED TO READ IT”.
Seriously, you guys. The official book description does NOT even TOUCH the crazysauce that floods this book. This is what it says:
Monte Carlo is abuzz with news that Ram Varindha—young, hot and royal—is without a co-driver for the biggest rally event of the year. Though it’s been years since she last saw him, Mia leaps at the chance to get up close with the maharaja!
With time to spare before he takes on more serious royal duties, bedding this beauty is top of Ram’s list. But Mia has long known Ram’s reputation. Is she just in for the hottest few nights of her life, or could her dream of finally taming Ram’s playboy ways become reality?
Maria’s description reveals much more, and is in all frank honesty ENTIRELY ACCURATE:
Majaraja’s Mistress features a…
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June 30, 2011 | Thursday at 7:11 pm | 6 Comments
I have two RITA® Reader Challenge reviews for this book, one from Gail and the other from HellyBelly. HellyBelly gave the book a C-, while Gail’s review, while not graded, was more favorable. I’ve taken the liberty of averaging their reviews to a C grade. This book finaled in the Strong Romantic Elements category.
Plot Summary: A husband, a family, a comfortable life: Theodora Lestrange lives in terror of it all.
With a modest inheritance and the three gowns that comprise her entire wardrobe, Theodora leaves Edinburgh—and a disappointed suitor—far behind. She is bound for Rumania, where tales of vampires are still whispered, to visit an old friend and write the book that will bring her true independence.
She arrives at a magnificent, decaying castle in the Carpathians, replete with eccentric inhabitants: the ailing dowager; the troubled steward; her own fearful friend, Cosmina. But all are outstripped in dark glamour by…
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June 30, 2011 | Thursday at 7:02 pm | 0 Comments
I have two RITA® Reader Challenge reviews for this book, which finaled in the Inspirational romance category. The first is from Gail, and the second is from ReadinginAK. Gail gave this book a B, while ReadinginAK gave it an A. I’ve averaged those two to a B+.
Plot Summary:His plan was simple—convince Caroline Hudson to take in his children as wards. Widower Tyrone Justice is stunned when the Nantucket schoolmistress requests a wedding instead! But really, what could be simpler than a marriage of convenience? Tyrone’s children will have stability, Caroline will have security…and neither Tyrone nor Caroline will have to risk their hearts once more. Bruised by past loves and losses, neither is ready to take that chance again. Unless a potentially deadly disaster makes them see the truth. Happiness lies within reach—if they’ll take a chance on the unplanned gift of love.
And here is Gail’s review:
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June 30, 2011 | Thursday at 6:40 am | 0 Comments
This RITA® Reader Challenge was submitted by Donna. This novel finaled in the Novel With Strong Romantic Elements category.
Plot Summary: hen Alexandra Clarkson starts having terrifying visions filled with blood and ceremonial images, she tries to find a rational explanation maybe her mind is playing tricks on her, resurrecting creepy tableaux from her research on religious ceremonies and sects. But when Alex’s mother, Patsy, commits suicide without leaving behind any information, Alex is left wondering: could she be haunted by something from the childhood she doesn’t remember?
Detective Daniel Reed was the last person to speak to Patsy. What he reveals to Alex is shocking. Twenty-five years earlier, Patsy was married to Harlan Sommer, one of Sonoma County’s most prominent vintners, when their infant son disappeared without a trace. The loss destroyed the Sommers’ marriage, causing Patsy to leave and take Alex with her. A dead child… Called on to investigate…
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June 30, 2011 | Thursday at 5:50 am | 9 Comments
This RITA® Reader Challenge was written by Plaatsch. This book finaled in the Paranormal Romance category.
Plot Summary: Half human, half god, Dagan Krayl is the Underworld’s most powerful soul reaper. When one of his brothers is murdered, Dagan must use every ounce of his power to hunt down those responsible for his brutal death. But he must move swiftly—and carefully—if he’s to have any chance of resurrecting his brother.
Yet that resurrection could wreak havoc on the mortal world. As an Otherkin, Roxy Tam has sworn to protect the human race, and it’s her mission to stop Dagan. But when she sees him face-to-face, she realizes that she has seen him once before—a meeting that changed her life forever.
Neither Dagan nor Roxy expect to join forces for the sake of mankind. Or to have their loyalties tested as they struggle against the potent desire that threatens to consume them both.
And here…
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June 29, 2011 | Wednesday at 9:42 pm | 2 Comments
This RITA® Reader Challenge review was written by Cassandra. This story finaled in the Best Novella category.
ETA: I also have a review from Alyssa, who gave this novella a B.
Plot Summary: Permanently injured on a black-ops mission, Cord Madden is furious at the world. Then Lexi McGowen reappears in his life to nurse him back to health. Little does he guess that she’s about to reveal a whole new world to him, one touch at a time.
And here is Cassandra’s review:
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June 29, 2011 | Wednesday at 9:00 pm | 0 Comments
This RITA® Reader Challenge was written by Jen B. This book finaled in the Romantic Suspense category.
Plot Summary: When a teenage girl dies in a suspicious fire, Detective Olivia Sutherland is assigned to track down the arsonist. Then she discovers something more sinister: a vicious blackmailer who preys on young people and murders without hesitation. Making her work even harder is sexy firefighter David Hunter. He’s not only sharing the case but sparking memories of their long-ago night of passion, when feelings were left unspoken and hearts were broken.
David has his own ghosts, and a million regrets. But while he and Olivia try to face the wall of pain between them, a diabolical puppet master is pulling strings to make a group of twentysomethings do his bidding. Soon Olivia and David are scouring the city for a calculating criminal who seems tantalizingly close—and is moving in for the…
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June 29, 2011 | Wednesday at 4:48 pm | 40 Comments
SusiB reviewed this book for the RITA® Reader Challenge. This novel finaled in the Contemporary Single Title Category.
Plot Summary: As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride’s vision. She just can’t see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker’s business risks have always paid off, but now she’ll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart…
And here is SusiB’s review:
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June 28, 2011 | Tuesday at 1:56 pm | 2 Comments
Lindlee did it! One book in every category for RITA® Reader Challenge. This book finaled in the Romantic Suspense category.
Plot Summary: A love to die for… On the run since his daughter was born, Mitch Turner has concealed a truth so dangerous, its discovery could jeopardize both their lives. But when a series of shocking murders hits their newfound home, the trail leads straight to Mitch. With the police out for blood and his daughter ripped from his arms, he has nowhere to turn—until a beautiful stranger offers her help. Neesy Brown has made mistakes in her life, yet she refuses to believe this mysterious man is a killer. There’s a strength in his broad shoulders that draws her to him and a weariness in his eyes that she longs to ease. As the murders tear her small town apart, she vows to help Mitch find his missing child. But a cunning predator…
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June 27, 2011 | Monday at 11:34 pm | 1 Comments
This RITA® Reader Challenge was written by Lori. This book finaled in the Romantic Suspense category.
Plot Summary: When a teenage girl dies in a suspicious fire, Detective Olivia Sutherland is assigned to track down the arsonist. Then she discovers something more sinister: a vicious blackmailer who preys on young people and murders without hesitation. Making her work even harder is sexy firefighter David Hunter. He’s not only sharing the case but sparking memories of their long-ago night of passion, when feelings were left unspoken and hearts were broken.
David has his own ghosts, and a million regrets. But while he and Olivia try to face the wall of pain between them, a diabolical puppet master is pulling strings to make a group of twentysomethings do his bidding. Soon Olivia and David are scouring the city for a calculating criminal who seems tantalizingly close—and is moving in for the kill.
…
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June 27, 2011 | Monday at 8:54 pm | 3 Comments
This review for the RITA® Reader Challenge was written by PLaatsch. This novel finaled in the Regency Historical category.
Plot Summary: When he becomes seventh Earl of Danecroft, rakish John Fitzhugh Wyckerly also inherits a crumbling estate and massive debts. Determined to do right, he reclaims his illegitimate daughter Penelope and heads to London in search of a very rich wife.
Abigail Merriweather’s farm has been quiet since she lost custody of her four young half-siblings-until a roguish gentleman named Fitz stops for a rest, his rebellious daughter in tow. His etiquette is questionable, his parenting deplorable-so why does Abby delight in his flirtations? And when she seeks a suitor to help her regain the children, why does Fitz keep popping up?
And here is the review:
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June 27, 2011 | Monday at 6:12 am | 12 Comments
This RITA® Reader Challenge was written by Elise Logan, who rules. This book finaled in the Romantic Suspense category.
Plot Summary: First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort stabbed through the heart with a bayonet.
Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life – and death – are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer.
As time runs out on another innocent victim’s life, Eve’s investigation will take her into the rarified circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in – and into the perverted heart of madness ...
And here is Elise’s review:
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June 26, 2011 | Sunday at 10:55 pm | 0 Comments
This book did not receive a submitted review for the RITA® Reader Challenge, so I have found some excellent outside reviews to supplement. I am not, however, assigning a letter grade to the review. This book finaled in the Romantic Suspense category.
Plot Summary: I’m not who they say I am. Trust me. But can she? Reclusive novelist Aaron Westhaven, a man she’s admired-and more-for years, has accepted Olivia Dupree’s invitation to speak at a local fundraiser. But the day he’s due to arrive, she gets a call summoning her to the bedside of a John Doe whose sole possession is her business card. Can this undeniably compelling man-survivor of an execution-style gunshot wound-really be the novelist the lonely Olivia has grown to think of as a near soul mate? If not, he can be in Shadow Falls for only one reason: to kill her. Olivia, too, has secrets. And discovering the…
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