Hump Day Classic Movie

Hump Day is back and with it comes the midweek blues. That means it's time for classic movie day!

And in keeping with my belief that books and movies should be escapism and not depressing, here's another silly movie to watch--if you haven't seen it yet.

The Court Jester
1955

starring Danny Kaye, Angela Lansbury, Basil Rathbone

The plot: a silly Robin Hood meets Scarlet Pimpernel kind of swashbuckling adventure. Interspersed with Danny Kaye songs and the most famous tongue twister in movie history.

Review: Hunter's Salvation by Shiloh Walker

I've been steadily working my way through Shiloh Walker's backlist having started with her newest Hunters novel, Hunter's Need (which I thoroughly enjoyed). So, needless to say, I'm reading these out of order. And so far, that doesn't seem to be much of a problem other than some minor who hooks up with whom spoilage.

Vax, a witch and semi-retired Hunter, is forced back into action by "the call" that all Hunters have. He's still haunted by the death of his wife, Cora, ninety-six years ago and is content to wish for death and stew in his loneliness. So he resents being thrust into the search for whatever supernatural SNAFU is happening.

Jess Warren is a reporter trying to avenge the death of her sister--a death she believes she caused by getting too close to something while investigating. And while she, too, wishes death will claim her, she wants to get justice for her sister first. And although she has some low key psychic abilities, she's unaware that the people responsible for her sister's death are "other."

Review: Taming the Highland Bride by Lynsay Sands

I'm not sure what's happened to Lynsay Sands's writing lately, but it's not as good as it used to be. Maybe it's from spending too much time in her Argeneau paranormal series, but her last two historical romances just haven't measured up. The last one, Devil of the Highlands, lacked her trademark humor. Taming the Highland Bride lacks any hope of originality.

Merry Stewart has spent most of her adult life running her family's holdings and dealing with her drunken father and brothers. She's dreamed of escaping via marriage, but her betrothed has been off fighting the Crusades. And despite returning from the battlefield, he has yet to send for her. So when her family tells her she's been sent for, she's far from reluctant to leave. Until she discovers her betrothed completely inebriated--and it seems she's leaving one drunk-filled home for another.

Hump Day Grouchiness

It's hump day, midweek, and I'm feeling crabby.

I am feeling quite a bit like Bartleby, the Scrivener right now. I can think of tons of things I should be doing. But to each and every suggestion, my inner voice replies "I would prefer not to." Although, admittedly, I lack Barleby's emotionless tone and careless attitude. And am very much alive. I think. Yep, there's a pulse.

Wednesdays are kind of the bastard stepchildren in the book world. Monday is when we hear all of the good gossip. Tuesdays are the new release days where lots of shiny new covers tempt us. Wednesdays? Nothing.

So, in honor of the most boring day of the week, and my general grouchy mood, I'm designating Wednesday as watch a classic movie day.

Today's movie is To Catch a Thief starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. It's a romance. And a mystery. And a caper movie. And did I mention it's directed by Alfred Hitchcock? And filmed in France? Mood lifter indeed! No, this isn't a deep movie. It's completely predictable. But it is one that I enjoy watching just to follow the chemistry between Grant and Kelly.

Review: Promise Me Tonight By Sara Lindsey

This is a very sweet story. It may be a little too sweet for some. I had problems with it mainly because the heroine is so very, very young. And that youth is obvious throughout most of the novel. Isabella really doesn't have any true depth until at least midway through Promise Me Tonight.

I could have done without the prologue. I understood what the author was going for, but it just seemed like overkill. Like using a cast iron frying pan to swat a fly. I much prefer to have that kind of information woven into the narrative. Yes, the childhood loss of both parents and a baby sister plays a large role in why the hero does not wish to marry, but there are subtler ways to do it.

One other pet peeve that this book struck was a vagueness of setting. I want to be able to fully visualize each and every location equally. And I really didn't get that here. There were some great opportunities to use the setting as an integral part of the story, but they were missed. The folly, the neighboring houses, Scotland, the ship all felt superficial.

Despite the few shortcomings, this story was surprisingly effective emotionally. Izzie's correspondence that heads each chapter was delightful. I have a soft spot for boy next door stories; there really aren't that many of them in the historical romance genre. And James's pain and indecision were palpable. As was Izzy's naive infatuation. Best of all, Lindsey has a distinctive writing style. Something that many authors take years to achieve. It's an effervescent style of writing that more often than not will have you smiling at turns of phrase as you're reading.

Overall, it's a fantastic first novel. And, hooray, part of a series!

My Grade: B-

Review: How I Met My Countess by Elizabeth Boyle

There's just something about Regency spy novels that appeals to me. Give me some Regency (or Victorian, I'm not picky) smuttiness mixed with the intrigue, danger, and adventure that spy stories just naturally have, and I'm a happy girl.

How I Met My Countess is almost two books in one. The bulk of the book is told in a flashback style. I promise, it's not nearly as annoying as it sounds. The flashback tells the entire story of the our hero and heroine's unconventional romance. The remainder is about reconciliation and a minor subplot or two about inheritances, secrets, and a gaggle of widows.

I enjoyed this book far more than recent offerings by this author, probably because it reminds me so much of the fun spy novels she has written--books like Stealing the Bride--where adventure and humor blend together with the romance.

My Grade: B+

For even more historical spy cravings, here is some suggested reading:

• Stealing the Bride by Elizabeth Boyle
• To Wed a Scandalous Spy by Celeste Bradley
• From London with Love by Jenna Petersen
• The Lady Chosen by Stephanie Laurens
• The Spy Wore Silk by Andrea Pickens

Review: Bitten By Cupid (anthology) by Lynsay Sands, Pamela Palmer, and Jaime Rush

I love anthologies. Especially romance anthologies. Especially romance anthologies that have stories by authors I'm unfamiliar with. I'm very familiar with Lynsay Sands's Argeneau series, but both Pamela Palmer and Jaime Rush are new to me. So I did a little happy dance when I saw Bitten By Cupid at the store. And yes, I did get some strange looks from the other store patrons. Pretty sure they were because of the dancing.

The over-arching theme here is, of course, Valentine's Day. But that is pretty much where the similarities end. Sands's novella, Vampire Valentine,  is an Argeneau story and features Tiny McGraw--a secondary character from several full length vampire novels. Pamela Palmer's story, Hearts Untamed, is about shifters--sort of. And Jaime Rush's story, Kiss and Kill Cupid,  is about psychic powers and a serial killer.

Classic Review: Pearl Jinx by Sandra Hill

More from the vault: originally published on Myspace July 16, 2007

I just finished Pearl Jinx by Sandra Hill. It has to be one of the most unique stories I've ever read. Where else are you going to read about Ex-Amish Ex-Navy SEALs?

I thought Hill was extremely knowledgeable about Amish and Mennonite beliefs and handled much of the issues with care. I was not so impressed by her handling of the Native American issues(or American Indian, depending on your PC preference), though.

The book is still fun and funny, as her books always are. You will enjoy it more if you've read others in her Cajun series as characters from the series make reappearances here.
I'm not going to even try to describe the plot, because it sounds silly in print. It IS silly, but it is also a great read...perfect for the beach or any other time you need something that won't drag you down.

Review: Succubi Like It Hot by Jill Myles Succubus Diaries, #2

Jill Myles's Succubus Diaries series is definitely different. I really didn't like the main character all that much, but the author's writing is so darn funny that I found myself reading it at light speed to find out what happened next.

I love it (LOVE  IT) when authors have clear narrative voices. And I love stories written with humor.

I'm kind of a traditionalist when it comes to the romance label, though, so I'm not really certain Succubi Like It Hot qualifies for me. There's an ongoing struggle between our main character, Jackie, and her two main love interests... And given that she's a succubus, there isn't really an emotional connection attached to the sex. It's an itch to be scratched and that's all. Which I'm also not so okay with.

Review: McKettricks of Texas: Tate by Linda Lael Miller

As always, plot spoilers are contained within....you've been warned.

There's just something about modern Western romances that I love. Maybe because cowboys have a certain romantic mystique without having to deal with the hardships that faced those living in the 19th century American west. Or because most cowboys are hardworking, crazy or both. And it helps to have an author like Linda Lael Miller writing about them, because she knows her stuff. Unfortunately, McKettricks of Texas: Tate didn't live up to expectations.

There's no question that Miller nails the cowboy/rancher parts of this story, but I was a little surprised by the conflict in this book. I haven't read a LLM book that dealt with infidelity before. Maybe I missed one in her backlist, but that was new to me with this author. Sure, the characters in question weren't married at the time but there was every expectation of being so.

Review: At the Duke's Pleasure by Tracy Anne Warren

Warning: Potential plot spoilers ahoy...

It's been awhile since I've read the whole 'betrothed since birth' story. It's a common story in medieval romances, but seems to have lost some popularity in Regency or Victorian romances. At least in the ones I've been reading recently.

I try not to read other reviews of books before I write my own because I'm afraid they'll color my opinion. But in this case, I broke my cardinal rule. I have to say that I'm apparently in the minority here. I *loved* this book. I completely understood the motivations of the heroine (Claire)--which were sore points for many reviewers. Yes, she goes on spending sprees. Yes, she acts inappropriately. Yes, she ends up endangering herself.  She's acting out in increasingly dangerous ways as the novel progresses. But what motivates her isn't so much resistance against the betrothal or the choice of groom. I suspect it would be easier for her if she were indifferent to Edward. But having watched her mother slowly die inside from having her love rejected, Claire is determined that she can't follow through with the betrothal and is doing anything she can to get him to jilt her.

"Classic" Review: Cutting Loose by Susan Andersen

I've decided to move all of my old reviews that are scattered across the net to one home. So, every Friday, I'll be posting a review from the past. They were written in 2007 and 2008 and reflect my opinions from that time. I hope you enjoy them!

Originally published on MySpace Blog August 11, 2008

After being so disappointed in so many historicals lately, I was relieved to find a favorite contemporary author did not let me down. Andersen's newest title, Cutting Loose, is the beginning of a new series about 3 childhood friends who inherit a mansion from an elderly mentor.

As the first in the series, Cutting Loose has some necessary backstory that, I admit, is a bit boring. I'll even admit to skimming it, since it didn't really engage me. But the story that followed was terrific. I liked Jane, the repressed curator for a Seattle museum and Dev, the Irish contractor.

Andersen does a terrific job capturing that Irish twinkle I'm familiar with, and I really enjoyed the fact that this hero was not some metrosexual, emasculated, sensitive, modern man. He wasn't a Neanderthal either--simply someone who was very real. You felt that this was someone you knew and someone on whom you could depend. There's something so appealing about that.

My only complaint, and it's relatively minor, was that the physical locations seemed a little fuzzy. The mansion, which is a centerpiece in the story, did not get fully realized. Neither did the museum where Jane works.

Overall, though, this was a wonderful contemporary title. The suspense isn't overdone. You know who the bad guy is, but there is a wonderful tension about what he will do next and when (if) he will be caught.

Well worth the time and effort! I'm eagerly awaiting the next in the series.

Follow up note: I decided to start with this review, since we recently received the awesome news that Susan Andersen has FINALLY been given the go-ahead for the third book in the trilogy!! Yea!!

Review: The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens

Well, after bashing the first book in the Black Cobra Quartet (the review of which you can read here), I'm happy to report that book #2, The Elusive Bride is a HUGE improvement. Not perfect, but much, much better.

I've read a lot of Stephanie Laurens books. In fact, I don't think there's one I haven't read. So I'm really familiar with her writing style. And I can't remember ever reading one that was semi-epistolary before. Along with the complicated adventure narrative, we're treated to diary entries from our heroine, Emily, as she plots and schemes to advance her cause of gaining our hero, Gareth Hamilton, as her husband.

Review: The Truth About Lord Stoneville by Sabrina Jeffries

Sabrina Jeffries starts a new series (after recently concluding her popular School for Heiresses series) with The Truth About Lord Stoneville.  The Hellions of Halstead Hall is about five scandalous siblings who are given an ultimatum by their purse-string-holding grandmother to marry within the year. This is the eldest, Oliver's, story.

I have to say, having read most of Sabrina Jeffries's backlist that this novel was quite a bit darker than most of her other books. The book begins with a nasty murder-suicide. And much of the emotional drama is the natural fallout of that tragedy.

Rant: Why I Hate Jane from Dahl's Lead Me On

I was going to write a review about Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Mainly because I know that most of my problems with the novel were not the fault of the writing. Instead, they're a result of my hating the "heroine" of the story so much that I really didn't WANT her to find her happily ever after. Which, in romance, is kind of required.

Jane Morgan represents a certain type of woman that I quite frankly can't stand. Someone who is not only a big phony, but who is judgmental of others. Who is a hypocritical elitist. Who is so consumed with overcoming her "low origins" that she looks down on everyone. She overcompensates BIG TIME. And I just can't stand those type of women.

Review: Coming Undone by Lauren Dane

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from a contest on Twitter offered by Book Binge . I have not received any compensation for the following review. Purchases made through the affiliate link do earn a small commission.

I don't read a lot of erotic fiction mainly because the plot often ends up buried behind what seems like an endless parade of explicit sex scenes. I was therefore happily surprised when I read Lauren Dane's Coming Undone. While there are some very explicit scenes, they are well done and fit within the narrative of the story seamlessly.

Elise Sorenson is starting over in Seattle after experiencing great personal tragedy. She and her daughter move in next to Brody Brown, a motorcycle riding, tattooed man. What starts out as a simple fling between two adults quickly morphs into something more than either expects.

Review: The Care and Taming of a Rogue by Suzanne Enoch

Suzanne Enoch is one of my favorite historical romance authors. While she occasionally disappoints, she did not do so with The Care and Taming of a Rogue. It's a bit different from her normal writing and doesn't have the emotional depth of...say...England's Perfect Hero...but it's fun all the same.

Upon his return from the Congo, Captain Bennett Wolfe is surprised to learn that society believes him to be dead. And that someone who was part of his last expedition has stolen his journals and published a book effectively ruining Wolfe's reputation.

Phillipa, a bluestocking whose matrimonial prospects consist of her sister's eventual cast-off suitors, is surprised when Capt. Wolfe, a man whose previous adventures she had read about, takes an immediate and obvious interest in her.

Review: Skin Game by Ava Gray

Although not my particular cup of tea, Ava Gray's Skin Game is a compelling piece of suspense writing. Excellent (if unsympathetic) characters, a fast moving plot, and plenty of "action"--both violence and sex.

Strictly speaking, I'm not so sure this qualifies as a romance. Sure, there's a semblance of romance, here, but when you have one of the main characters STILL contemplating murdering the other in the second half of the book, I'd say that isn't particularly romantic.

Review: Hunter's Need by Shiloh Walker

I've never read Shiloh Walker before, but the premise of her Hunter's series intrigued me. Hunter's Need is part of an extensive series, but it stands alone just fine. In fact, it's probably one of the best paranormal romantic suspense books I've read in a long time.

I'm usually a little leery about starting a book that's part of an established series. As a series progresses, it always becomes really difficult to explain some of the important back story necessary for the plot without doing it in info dumps. Or doing the opposite and leaving out important information so that fans who have followed the series don't get annoyed with all of the rehashing of events. As a first time reader of Shiloh Walker, I can say she handled that dilemma with expertise.

How to Seduce a Sinner by Adrienne Basso

I had the hardest time remembering the title of this book. And there's a good reason why. It has NOTHING to do with the story. There is no "sinner" to be seduced. Yes, there is a seduction or two, but the inclusion of the word sinner seems kind of odd. The hero of the story, Carter, isn't a philandering rake. The heroine, Dorothea, isn't really  promiscuous either. So I'm at a loss as to why this particular title was chosen. Other than someone was a little too fond of alliteration?

I was really impressed with the author's writing style. The first half of How To Seduce A Sinner flew by due in large part to the witty dialogue. At times, it's so great you're smiling along with the characters. The second half of the book, though, seemed to lag terribly. It was probably an attempt to add tension by dragging out the seduction of our heroine, but for some reason, it didn't work for me.