book review – Page 2

Category: book review

My Review of A Night to Surrender

Posted on April 9, 2015March 24, 2015 by Anna Abner

Or, What I Thought Of Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove Starter

Back Cover Blurb:

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men. It is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters…and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch–a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle…but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

My Thoughts:

I adored this book! It was fun and feisty from the very beginning to the happily ever after ending. Bram is damaged, both inside and out, but so is Susanna, and they make the perfect pair. When the boys took over the girls’ delicate tea shop, transforming it into the Rutting Bull Saloon, I couldn’t wipe the goofy grin off my face.

But my favorite part is Bram and Susanna’s verbal brawling in the cove.

Bram: “You’re just begging to be taught a hard, fast lesson in what it means to please a man.”

Susanna: “You’re just longing to put your head in my lap and feel my fingers in your hair.”

He backed her up against a rock. “You need a good ravaging.”

“You,” she breathed, “need a hug.”

I highly recommend this book to Regency fans, and I’ll be looking for the second book in the series!

My Review of Pamfiloff’s King’s

Posted on February 5, 2015February 5, 2015 by Anna Abner

Or, What I Thought Of The 1st Book In The King Trilogy

I wasn’t sure what to think of King’s. By the 50% mark I was completely turned off by the hero, King. He said things like, “Shut the f**k up,” and “Look at me when I speak to you” to the heroine, Mia Turner. When Mia disobeys him by trying to escape he punishes her. And not the kinky, sexy, fun kind of punish. No, he just hurts her. At that point, I didn’t know how I would ever have sympathy for this sadist.

Second, I thought I was reading a novel about a vampire hero, so when Mia asks King if he’s a vampire and he responds with something like, “Are you a silly child? Vampires don’t exist,” I was disappointed. Call me immature, but I enjoy reading about vampires.

The fact that the novel ends on a cliffhanger only frustrated me further.

Bottom line: The book is well written, I just think the hero could have shown a smidgeon more human emotions before the final chapter. I hope the story improves in book two, but I probably won’t be reading it.

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<3 Anna

My Review of The Martian

Posted on January 8, 2015February 5, 2015 by Anna Abner

Or, My Thoughts On Andy Weir’s Sci-Fi Adventure

I first heard about The Martian in Entertainment Weekly and I was interested in the runaway bestseller soon to be a star-packed movie, but I was still blown away by how great the story is.

Mark Watney, and his space suit, are critically injured during a dust storm on Mars. His crew, believing him to be dead and not wanting to risk more lives collecting his body, abandon him on Mars and evacuate the planet. The only hiccup is that Mark isn’t dead. There begins one of the wildest and most exciting adventures I’ve ever read. We follow him day-by-day as he struggles to survive on a planet completely inhospitable to him. The story gets even better when we are introduced to a wider array of earthbound characters.

Though I’m not a huge science fiction fan, Mark’s narration was so enthralling I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know what happened to him. Sometimes the author’s attention to detail when it comes to resisters and amps and volts made my eyes cross (perhaps it would help if I knew what any of that stuff actually does), but overall it is a can’t-miss novel.

<3 Anna

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My Review of Beast of Chicago

Posted on December 4, 2014December 4, 2014 by Anna Abner

Or, My Thoughts On The Illustrated Case Of H.H. Holmes

Usually, I restrict myself to unsolved murder cases from history, but reading about Jack the Ripper led me to the horrific crimes of H.H. Holmes. Maybe I was so interested because we still know so little about his crimes, even how many people (mostly women) he actually killed in his “castle.” The fact that this upstanding businessman had a castle full of torture chambers is astonishing in itself.

Rick Geary’s illustrated casebook, The Beast of Chicago: the Murderous Career of H.H. Holmes, is a wonderful introduction to the subject, and I feel like I don’t need to read anymore about this man. The book gives all the pertinent information and accompanies it with incredibly detailed line drawings, from Holmes’ little known childhood to his execution. It’s a quick read. I read it in one sitting. I was also relieved the drawings aren’t too gory. No detailed sketches of torture or the bodies found, which I was glad for since some of his victims were children.

Geary’s volume is a wonderful mash-up of a true crime paperback and a graphic novel. I will be looking for the other books in his Treasury of Victorian Murder series.

<3 Anna

My Review of Elizabeth Hoyt’s Darling Beast

Posted on November 20, 2014October 30, 2014 by Anna Abner

Or, Scorching Hot Sex Scenes Ahead!

Back Cover Blurb:

A MAN CONDEMNED . . .

Falsely accused of murder and mute from a near-fatal beating, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne has escaped from Bedlam. With the Crown’s soldiers at his heels, he finds refuge in the ruins of a pleasure garden, toiling as a simple gardener. But when a vivacious young woman moves in, he’s quickly driven to distraction . . .

A DESPERATE WOMAN . . .

London’s premier actress, Lily Stump, is down on her luck when she’s forced to move into a scorched theatre with her maid and small son. But she and her tiny family aren’t the only inhabitants-a silent, hulking beast of a man also calls the charred ruins home. Yet when she catches him reading her plays, Lily realizes there’s more to this man than meets the eye.

OUT OF ASH, DESIRE FLARES

Though scorching passion draws them together, Apollo knows that Lily is keeping secrets. When his past catches up with him, he’s forced to make a choice: his love for Lily . . . or the explosive truth that will set him free.

My Review:

Darling Beast is a fantastic and romantic read that I had trouble putting down. I adored the hero, Apollo, and the heroine, Lily, was sparkling from beginning to end. Indio, Lily’s little boy, was by far the best character in the novel and his early scenes are both hysterical and endearing.

My only issue with the story is that the trait that makes Apollo so interesting–his voice was literally beaten out of him–is miraculously reversed halfway through. After that, he’s not nearly as exciting. He’s just another well-dressed lord.

But I can overlook that because everything else in the story is so great. And the sex! Wow. Hot doesn’t even cover it. Hoyt has written some of the best sex scenes I’ve read in a really long time.

If you’re a fan of historical romances with hilarious kids, mischievous dogs and secret aristocrats falling in love with lowly, though spunky, actresses–you’ll love Darling Beast.

<3 Anna

My Review of Thief of Shadows

Posted on October 22, 2014February 10, 2015 by Anna Abner

Or, I Gush Over Elizabeth Hoyt’s Regency Romance

Back Cover Blurb:

A MASKED MAN . . .

Winter Makepeace lives a double life. By day he’s the stoic headmaster of a home for foundling children. But the night brings out a darker side of Winter. As the moon rises, so does the Ghost of St. Giles-protector, judge, fugitive. When the Ghost, beaten and wounded, is rescued by a beautiful aristocrat, Winter has no idea that his two worlds are about to collide.

A DANGEROUS WOMAN . . .

Lady Isabel Beckinhall enjoys nothing more than a challenge. Yet when she’s asked to tutor the Home’s dour manager in the ways of society-flirtation, double-entendres, and scandalous liaisons-Isabel can’t help wondering why his eyes seem so familiar-and his lips so tempting.

A PASSION NEITHER COULD DENY

During the day Isabel and Winter engage in a battle of wills. At night their passions are revealed . . . But when little girls start disappearing from St. Giles, Winter must avenge them. For that he might have to sacrifice everything-the Home, Isabel . . . and his life.

My Thoughts:

I have a secret to confess. Though I write paranormals, I adore regency romances. The dresses, the balls, the afternoon teas. The polished manners concealing roiling passion. I can’t get enough!

Thief of Shadows has it all. From the first line — “The body in the road was the absolute cap to the day” — to the last, it’s a sexy and thrilling adventure.

My favorite part has to be Isabel’s tutoring Winter in not only good manners and ballroom dancing, but in the bedroom, as well.

<3 Anna