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Bellwether Book Reviews
"People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading." - Logan Pearsall Smith.
Dead Ever After
I'm not as floored by this ending as I think I should be. Charlaine Harris has been most adamant about warning readers that Sookie would not ever turn into a vampire. Plus, she is constantly trying to distance herself from their world, even though she inevitably got pulled back into their problems in every book. I just don't think Sookie could have had her happily ever after if she chose a vampire. I'm not overjoyed that she chose Sam, but whatever. It is what it is.
My Sweet Folly
Refreshingly different from your typical formulaic historical romance. Kinsale has a unique way of making a labyrinth of her plot lines just to get to the happily ever after. Definitely not flat or boring.
What I Did For a Duke
This is the first book I've read by Julie Anne Long, and she thoroughly impressed me with her writing. More often than not I find most author's attempts at intimate scenes to be cheesy and/or cliche. However, I was absolutely floored by Long's talent in this area especially. "She tensed beneath his hand.
And when it touched her hair lying draped over her shoulder, he exhaled softly. He sank his fingers into it, then drew them slowly, slowly out, in aching wonder.
'It's what this night would feel like if I could seize hold of it.'"
I was well aware of Alex and Genevieve's deep connection before they ever took off their clothes.
Long just sucked me right into the story, and I remained there until the very last page.
Lord Of The Isles (Men of the Isles #1)
90% of the time, if I don't like a book it's because I don't like the characters. I actually liked the hero and heroine of this story and I definitely enjoyed the secondary characters. The reason I didn't like Lord the the Isles falls into the other 10%. The premise of the story was promising but the plot was poorly developed. The scenes that didn't have Ali and Rory heating things up were rushed and choppy, and the solutions for all of the problems they face were far too convenient. Even the romance between Ali and Rory felt abrupt, which was unfortunate since I liked them both so much.
 - Debbie Mazzuca)
Promise
Not sure why this has such a high average rating. It reminded me of a hundred other young adult books published over the past several years, but this book stands out only because it has an angsty, whiny female protagonist who acts more like a freshman in high school rather than in college.
Run To You
3.5 stars.I really didn't think I would like this, and if Rachel Gibson hadn't written it I probably wouldn't have. It was actually a pretty cute story and the interplay between Stella and Beau was funny for the most part.
It was a nice, lighthearted romance with a mafia threat just to make things interesting. Although I'm still trying to forget the ridiculous descriptions Gibson uses in the steamy scenes.. i.e. Stella's "hot pocket" and "pleasure button."
Midnight Rainbow
The improbability of this whole damn story amazed me. It's so outrageous it should be categorized as fantasy.
The Mulberry Tree
I never managed to develop an interest in the mystery Lillian/Bailey was asked to solve or the romance between her and Matt.
A Reclusive Heart
Why does every female protagonist in contemporary romances have to be obsessed with chocolate? ... I've thought this SOOO many times and I'm always irritated by it, but Jamie's sweet tooth was too $!#%ing ridiculous. I know the author was trying to be funny with Jamie's extreme sweets addiction, but all it did was annoy me. Plus Nick was a prick. So... this story just didn't do it for me.
 - R.L. Mathewson)
Styxx
So. Damn. Long. I get that there's a few thousand years worth of back story Kenyon needs to fill us in on, but wow. Well over half of the book is set in B.C.. Nevertheless, it was a great story and very well written. If you've read Acheron (Dark Hunter book #15), then you'll know what to expect. As in Acheron's book, readers get a very detailed account of Styxx's life. With that, we get a better understanding of why he is the way he is now. Also, we get a glimpse into Bethany's existence while Styxx was growing up and why she is the way she is.
It's a great story I might have given it five stars if it had been more of what I was expecting (based on the book synopsis) and if it wasn't so drawn out. That's not to say the book synopsis is wrong, exactly. It's just that the synopsis covers only the very end of the book.
No Turning Back
I really wanted to love this book. I liked the premise, but it's hard for me to enjoy a mystery/suspense novel when the lead character is two steps behind me in putting the pieces together. It's annoying to feel like I already know the book spoilers before the author reveals them. Plus, there were some parts of the book that just made no sense, or were at least pointless. (Like her going to a masked party, with anonymous attendees, to try to discover the identity of man.)Even though Kathleen was a bit dense I still liked her. Most of the other characters were a bit bland, with the exception of C.J.. I'll probably try out the next book in the series in the hope that Kathleen has gained a few brain cells and developed a bit more self confidence.
Loose Ends
I really enjoyed the characters. I know there are plenty of paranormal mystery books out there with main characters that solve crimes with the aid of ghosts. (I really enjoyed Amanda Steven's Graveyard Queen series) Yet, this book felt different. I think it was the humor Terri Reid injected into the dialogue. The mystery wasn't much of a mystery, but the plot didn't really suffer from the lack of suspense. I still wanted to know how it's all resolved. Now I'm eager to read to the next book, Good Tidings, to see where things go with Mary and Bradley.
