Hello my fellow book lovers!
How the heck are ya? I’m doing well. There’s not anything to report here so I’ll get right to the books.
Actually I started the week reading a bunch of yaoi manga:
Reversible by various artists 2 out of 5
Love Mode by Yuki Shimizu 3 out of 5
Ka*Shin*Fu by Makoto Tateno 2 out of 5
Golden Prince and Argent King by Kouko Agawa 3 out of 5
Little Butterfly – Omnibus – by Hinako Takanaga 4 out of 5
First up was Wicked Surrender by Jade Lee. This was the story of the daughter of an actress who now ran a theatre. She wants nothing more than to be found respectable so when the 4th son of an Earl proposes she accepts. The problem is that she’s not accepted by his set at all and things aren’t exactly the way she expected them to be. There’s also the problem of her having feelings for her fiance’s cousin and him constantly asking her to be his mistress. I had some issues with the heroine of this book…and the hero at times as well but liked it for the most part. I found out an interesting twist when I read the blurb for the next book in the series so I’ll definitely be reading that one to find out what happens. This one I read for The Book Binge. 3.5 out of 5
Next was All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins. Ok, Higgins makes me laugh. I really love her sense of humor. The story was about a woman who had been in love with a guy for years. He was now her boss and at one point had had a 5 week relationship that she thought was going somewhere. Turned out it wasn’t quite great “timing” for her boss though. Yeah, right. Anyway, so she’s decided to branch out in the dating scene and starts – eventually, in a round about kind of way, to date the new town vet. That’s not before she goes on a couple of dates with men that’s she’s met on an online dating service (those were damned funny). It’s a crazy time in her life and very emotional at times but it works. This book was funny, heart-breaking, sad and fun all rolled into one. There were points in the book when I found it too descriptive, or the heroine would go off on a tangent in her mind and those were a bit frustrating but overall I really liked it. 4 out of 5
I read Her Laird, Her Lover by Sable Grey for The Book Binge. This short story was about a woman who had been sent back into medieval times 3 years prior. Her and her “mother”, the woman who had taken her in, ran cons to make money. One such con was run on a local Laird only her secret is discovered and eventually love blooms. I really liked this story. Grey managed to pack a lot of good stuff into 40 some pages. 4 out of 5
After that was Holiday Outing by Astrid Amara. I’m not sure why I’m reading Hanakkuh stories in September but whatever. lol It was good! Jonah is going home to visit his parents for Hanakkuh and he’s not thrilled about it. He’s gay and a gay fiction writer but his parents know neither of these facts. They think that he lives in Seattle and isn’t very successful. Ethan, Jonah’s old neighbor – the guy Jonah had the hots for while growing up – and the guy who outed him and got him beat up and shoved in lockers in high school, picks Jonah up from the airport and starts flirting with him. Huh? The story is of Ethan and Jonah’s relationship as well as the search for a family heirloom that disappears during a blizzard and subsequent blackout. This was a wonderful story! I loved the mystery involved with all of Jonah’s relatives as well as the budding relationship with Ethan and Jonah. I definitely recommend this one. 4.5 out of 5
My Tracy’s TBR challenge read for the week was Warsworn by Elizabeth Vaughan. I read Warprize a while back and loved it. Why it took me so long to read book 2 is beyond me. This book followed Lara and Keir in their journey to the Plains. The story was mostly about the Plague and how it hits their camp but also about Lara and Keir finding a better understanding and deeper love with each other. I laughed in this one, I cried (a lot, which I never do) and I loved it. Great book 4.5 out of 5
I had to immediately read Warlord by Elizabeth Vaughan after finishing Warsworn. I didn’t want to wait so I picked it up and devoured it. It was just as good as books 1 and 2 and I loved it as well. This had Lara and Keir in the Plains and the many obstacles they had to face in order to be together. They had to face many dissenters and it certainly wasn’t easy. I really like Vaughan’s writing and yes, found myself crying at the end of this one as well. How does she do that? lol 4.5 out of 5
Next up was The Promise by Brenda Joyce. This is book 13 in the de Warrene dynasty series and it comes out on the 28th. I don’t want to say anything about my thoughts since I’ll be reviewing it this week. This was Elysse O’Neill and Alexi de Warrene’s story.
I read Whenever We Meet by Cerise DeLand for The Book Binge (yes, I’m trying to catch up!). The story of a woman who is recovering from the death or her husband – even though they didn’t have a great marriage. She goes to Mexico to design a hotel and falls in love with her client. He wants her but is willing to wait until she’s comfortable with him. He does have one requirement though – she has to kiss him hello whenever she enters a room that he’s in and kiss him goodbye when she leaves. Interesting concept – I liked the first part of the book since I love kissing scenes but the end didn’t really do it for me. (EC covers are not leaving much to the imagination these days are they?!) 3 out of 5
Next was another book for The Book Binge called Trouble in a Stetson by Regina Carlysle. Lola and 2 of her friends leave Vegas for a grand adventure. Lola was a showgirl (*sings* her name was Lola, she was a showgirl…nevermind) and got canned because she was too old – she’s 30! Right after that her fiance breaks it off with her and Lola and her friends have had enough of Vegas. Lola and her friends make it to Mesa Blanco, Texas when their car breaks down. They have no money and end up staying to get the car fixed and get some money to get on their way. Lola meets the town sheriff though and they start a relationship. Lola was done with men but Sam just calls to her and Sam was hurt by a previous relationship/marriage and doesn’t want to get involved other than sex. Yeah, that doesn’t work out for either one of them. lol This was a very cute book. I’ve liked what I’ve read of Carlysle’s in the past and this one didn’t disappoint. 4 out of 5
My Book Binge reviews that posted this past week:
Happy Reading!
Hi Tracy! Looks like another great reading week for you!
I really enjoy Higgins' books and have this one in the TBR. I hope I get to it soon. Glad you liked it.
I got the Vaughan books from Mariana a few months ago and have always heard such good things about them. It's encouraging to see you enjoyed them so much! I'm an easy crier… I'd better have tissues at the ready for these! LOL!
I really like Astrid Amara's writing. She had a another Hanukkah one which took place in Canada. Funny and a bit bittersweet.
And hey, if I can read Halloween stories in Feb., you can read Hanukkah in Sept. Actually Hanukkah is Dec. 2 this year, so not that far off. 🙂
I really like Astrid Amara's writing. She had a another Hanukkah one which took place in Canada. Funny and a bit bittersweet.
And hey, if I can read Halloween stories in Feb., you can read Hanukkah in Sept. Actually Hanukkah is Dec. 2 this year, so not that far off. 🙂
I loved Holiday Outing!
There's also the problem of her having feelings for her fiance's cousin and him constantly asking her to be his mistress.
I know 'back then' women were treated more commodity like, but…it would be really nice to meet a historical hero who automatically didn't place a woman in the wife, mistress or relative category…
And this is a me thing, but…My Laird, My Lover? As soon as I saw the word 'con' I was like 'nope'…. I always feel sorry for the people who are conned.
I've heard some nice things about Holiday Outing – all these comments are just adding to it 🙂 But, first I have to read The Archer's Heart (also by Astrid Amara). It's m/m fantasy – my favourite *grin* Normally I wouldn't purchase, but Kris loved it so I went mad. Now I just have to read it 🙂 It sounds amazing!
Christine – Yes, I've really liked the Higgins books I've read so far. I have a few others of her in my TBR that I'll get to eventually.
I really loved the Vaughan books. They say paranormal romance but I think definitely more fantasy.
Tam – Ok, so I'm not too far off on my Hanakkuh reading! lol Thanks for the support. 🙂
I really liked the Amara. The only other I've read was the short in the Hell Cop stories but I liked that one as well.
Chris – Yes! Good stuff!
Orannia – Well, in that particular historical there were definitely hidden reasons that the man was asking her to be his mistress but I can't say without giving it away! 🙂
Yes, the con was a little week – the woman acted blind and supposedly had "the knowing" aka psychic ability and that's how they made their living – it was medieval times. Luckily that was touched on very slightly so it didn't bother me all that much.
I'd really like to read Archer's Heart too – just need to get it! 🙂
Did you read the whole Love Mode series? I really enjoyed this one for the 4 main characters, but also some of the other couples were great. I love volume 3 couple, Izumi if I'm not wrong. Also, the other couple I love is the one with the young boy who's terminally ill. So sad T_T
Wooohooo, you read and love Warsworn and Warlord! I thought this trilogy was just awesome and I think will always be a favorite ;D Ms Vaughan's next release is Warcry and it'll be about Lara and Keir returning to Xy, but the H/H will be Heath and Atira. I'm looking forward to it.
I'm torn about the Jade Lee. I'm just not sure if it's for me, given that I don't really enjoy love triangle and this, well, must be heavy on it ^_^; It's hard really love triangle where both guys are great.
I love Ms Higgins, but she'll definitively have to mix it up a bit, especially the heroine… because it's getting a bit too repetitive 🙁
PS – Christine, read it! read it! read it!
Hey honey~ I am just poppin in here to see what shaking in your part of town! LOL! I hope all is well! And wow.. on the reading honey!
Have a great day!
That is so awesome that you finally read Warsworn and Warprize! That is one of my favorite trilogys. Warsworn made me cry also! Those books are supposed to be rereleasing soon. I can't remember when but Ms. Vaughan reassured me that they were. I would love to have nice new copies for my shelf. And I want my mom to read them too.
I've read her other books since the trilogy and I was so pleased when I read the last one, it takes you back to the Plains. And then the next book I believe is supposed to be about the one warrior woman that traveled with Keir and Lara, can't recall her name! I can't wait for that one.
Great reading week! Good to see that you thought Love Mode was a three star read too. It was my first yaoi and I wasn't sure what to think of it. 🙂
The Hanakkuh story sounds really good. I'm adding it to my tbb!
Nath – I didn't read the whole series – just that one book. I got it in the Yaoi swap so I read what I had. 🙂 Good to know the rest of the series was good.
The Warlands series was so good! I really loved it and of course kicked myself, after I was done with books 2 & 3, for waiting so long!
The Lee really isn't a love triangle since she really doesn't love her fiance but I see what you mean. I'm not big on them either.
I've been ok with Higgins' heroine's so far. I still have 3 books to read though. 🙂
Cecile – Thanks for stopping by. You have a great day as well.
Amy – I really did love the Warlands series. They were just so good. I don't know how anyone could read book 2 and NOT cry. Wow – that was very emotional. I can't wait to read the next one!
Janna – I think you'll like the Hanakkuh story as much as the rest of us!
It was ok. Not my fav yaoi manga so far. I really liked Little Butterfly, Crimson Spell & Totally Captivated. Those are wonderful!
What a great line up of books – I have that Higgins books …must go dig it out…
I love Astrid book – simply but hit the spot…
What's with that guys arm om the Deland book…
Thanks for the links..
E.H>
EH – Yes, dig the Higgins out. As I said, some parts were a bit frustrating at times but overall very good.
Astrid book was fab!
The DeLand cover? I have no idea what's with his arm – that cover is just all about wrong. lol
I really loved the Warprize books, and then I started the first book in the next series and couldn't get past the first 10 pages!