A nice, low-key regency romance. No villains, no fights, no calamity, just two people attracted to each other and working through their own problems. A nice, low-key regency romance. No villains, no fights, no calamity, just two people attracted to each other and working through their own problems. Nothing exciting, but the writing was solid, the story interesting, and the hero and heroine thoroughly sympathetic. I enjoyed it, in a quiet way. ...more
2.5 stars It was an OK novel, I suppose, but I didn't enjoy it much. Actually, I didn't like it anywhere near as well as I do all the other novels in t2.5 stars It was an OK novel, I suppose, but I didn't enjoy it much. Actually, I didn't like it anywhere near as well as I do all the other novels in this futuristic romance series. The book seemed different from all the others: different story structure, different character dynamics, different dialog, different narrative. Even the vernacular isn't the same. It almost gives the impression that it was written by some other writer, even though Jayne Castle's name is still on the cover. I own all the other books in the series and re-read them occasionally, but I borrowed this one from the library, and I'm not going to buy it. I'm definitely not going to read it again, ever. ...more
3.5 stars Loved it. The tension, the pacing, the lead characters, the villain - it all worked together. And the overall arc of the series was finally c3.5 stars Loved it. The tension, the pacing, the lead characters, the villain - it all worked together. And the overall arc of the series was finally concluded: the bad guy vanquished, the lovers united in their deserved HEA. Sweet. ...more
2.5 stars A fast-paced historical romance. I think it was too fast-paced (the first time in my book-reviewing experience I say that about any work of f2.5 stars A fast-paced historical romance. I think it was too fast-paced (the first time in my book-reviewing experience I say that about any work of fiction). The author skimmed over many events and even emotional factors that should've been described in way more details. The entire novel seemed sketchy. Not bad, exactly, but sort-of undone, half-baked at best. Maybe it was a rush job? ...more
This book had a vibe of a gothic novel. The heroine, while on a journey of self-discovery, stumbled upon a mysterious man locked in the attic. Of courThis book had a vibe of a gothic novel. The heroine, while on a journey of self-discovery, stumbled upon a mysterious man locked in the attic. Of course, she had to help him. And of course, her love interest had to become involved too. No depth to this story, but lots of tension and many exciting events. And some lust and sex, of course. Not a bad combination, in my view. ...more
A nice historical romance. I probably would've liked it even more if I didn't read so many of this author's novels in quick succession. This one wasn'A nice historical romance. I probably would've liked it even more if I didn't read so many of this author's novels in quick succession. This one wasn't her best, but it was a quick and satisfying read. I'm going to buy the next book in the series....more
I'm not sure. In the first part of the story, the hero, Daniel, was so repulsive, I hated him. He treated the heroine, Anna, abominably, and I contempI'm not sure. In the first part of the story, the hero, Daniel, was so repulsive, I hated him. He treated the heroine, Anna, abominably, and I contemplated abandoning the book. I did stop reading it for a time, while I read other books and other genres. A couple months later, when I didn't have anything new to read, I returned to this story, and it did get better. Daniel definitely improved his attitude and his behavior, and the romance part of the story finally got on track. Perhaps his transformation was the point of this novel, but why Anna liked him from the beginning remains a mystery to me. Granted, Daniel inherited a financial mess from his late father, but many people are in financial difficulties sometimes. Doesn't give one an excuse to be obnoxious. Overall: I didn't enjoy this novel overmuch, but it seemed an OK read. ...more
DNF Not for me. Others might like this book - it is well written and professionally edited - but neither the hero nor the heroine inspired me to continDNF Not for me. Others might like this book - it is well written and professionally edited - but neither the hero nor the heroine inspired me to continue reading their story. A couple years ago, I read another book by this author, an urban fantasy, and also I finished that book I didn't like it much either. I should've trusted my own impression and refrained from trying her again. But the summary promised the novel to be so much fun I caved in and ordered it from the library. I should've known better. Back to the library it goes....more
3.5 stars This was this author's version of Pygmalion. Some stories follow strange twists and turns in their long literary lives. Pygmalion is one of t3.5 stars This was this author's version of Pygmalion. Some stories follow strange twists and turns in their long literary lives. Pygmalion is one of them: from the original Greek myth, through Bernard Shaw's excellent play (1912) and its many adaptations and retelling over the years, including the famous musical My Fair Lady - both stage and movie - towards, finally, this charming historical romance. Lovely, if totally unrealistic....more
Liked it. It isn't great literature, but the plot is fast-paced, the tension high, and the characters interesting. Overall: an excellent escapism storLiked it. It isn't great literature, but the plot is fast-paced, the tension high, and the characters interesting. Overall: an excellent escapism story. Give me more, I say....more
Well that was different: both the hero and the heroine of this regency romance are French. I think that's the first time in my reading life. The usualWell that was different: both the hero and the heroine of this regency romance are French. I think that's the first time in my reading life. The usual regency romance is about England and English. Isabelle is a French emigre and a widow. Her parents, French aristocrats, fled from the revolution in France when she was three. She grew up in England and she considers England her home. Her beloved, Armand, is a loyal French officer. They first meet when he and his men sailed to England to help a group of escaped French prisoners of war get back to France. Mayhem ensued. Guns, swords, smugglers, kidnappings, spies - it is all intertwined in this story of love and intrigue. The action takes place first in England, and then in France. The pacing is furious, the tension high throughout the novel, and the characters original. They might be a bit overly emotional and dramatic for my taste, but then they are both French. Maybe that's how their Gaelic temperaments manifest. Nevertheless, I enjoyed their story. ...more
Faintly boring. Of course, it is a Christmas story, so it is supposed to be all cheer and giving, but there is no real mystery here, and the only evenFaintly boring. Of course, it is a Christmas story, so it is supposed to be all cheer and giving, but there is no real mystery here, and the only event of any interest is that (view spoiler)[Julian and his beloved Hyperia finally got engaged. It took them only 7 installments to get to that point. (hide spoiler)] I hope the next book will be more interesting....more
3.5 stars A lovely mystery story about Lord Petteril and his unlikely new wife, April. Not much of a mystery, really, while a touch of Christmas spirit3.5 stars A lovely mystery story about Lord Petteril and his unlikely new wife, April. Not much of a mystery, really, while a touch of Christmas spirit is a bonus. To channel my favorite mystery heroine, Daisy Dalrymple, spiffy. I enjoyed reading it. ...more
Not bad. I'm not enamored of this short novel, but I moderately enjoyed it. My only objection was the villain. His actions were so evil, he almost seeNot bad. I'm not enamored of this short novel, but I moderately enjoyed it. My only objection was the villain. His actions were so evil, he almost seemed a caricature. ...more
2.5 stars I didn't enjoy this novel. Center is a good writer, no doubt, and the book is superbly edited, but its verbosity is excessive, and its protag2.5 stars I didn't enjoy this novel. Center is a good writer, no doubt, and the book is superbly edited, but its verbosity is excessive, and its protagonists, Emma and Charlie, didn't invite my sympathy. They didn't seem real at all, more like an idea of a perfect rom-com couple than a flesh and blood man and woman struggling towards mutual understanding. Overall, it feels like the author could've written a much better book, if she only aimed at a more sophisticated readership.
A few examples of my objections (although the list is by no means all-inclusive) are below.
Emma has a teenage-like crush on Charlie - she rhapsodizes about Charlie's nostrils, for Pete's sake. But I doubt a resourceful woman of almost 30, who serves 24/7 as her sick father's caretaker, could be so mindlessly hyper. In fact, she is a contradictory character. One moment - steady as a rock, counting sodium in her father's diet, the next - as antsy and scatterbrained as Jennifer Aniston in Friends.
Emma has multiple flashbacks, which gobble up a fair percentage of the book's word count. Those flashbacks take lots of page-space, but their relevance to the story is minimal. They could all be expressed by one-tenth of the words the author employs. A few paragraphs at most would've done the same job and result in a much leaner and tighter-written story.
Even more extra text is dedicated to Emma's imagination: the silly things she thinks but shouldn't say, as if the author wanted desperately to make her readers laugh. And not succeeding, I might add. All of it could've been cut off - and the story would've been better for it, sharper.
At one point, Emma contemplates the difference between writing with a blue-ink pen and a black-ink pen, and attaching personality to it. WTF???? For me, there is no personality attached to any ink color. You just buy a box of pens when you need them and write with whatever ink color is there. Hopefully not green.
Emma is always eavesdropping on Charlie talking to other people about her. Accidentally of course. Every single time. His words are always negative - extremely negative - but she always accepts his behind-her-back insults and forgives them a moment later. I don't get her. Or him, for that matter. Why does he do it again and again? Why does he bad-mouth her to such an extreme degree, when she never did him any harm? And then he turns around and says nice things to her face. Yuck! Their entire interpersonal dynamics is unfathomable to me.
Enough critique. What I already said expresses my opinion about this book in no uncertain terms. Meh....more
Didn't like this one. The story is interesting, and the mystery fascinating, but the narrative is unfocused, the logical connections tangled, and the Didn't like this one. The story is interesting, and the mystery fascinating, but the narrative is unfocused, the logical connections tangled, and the protagonists' love feels totally unbelievable. In fact, the novel reads like the first draft, with lots of editing necessary to bring the book into shape. There is a great potential there, but the execution sucks....more
3.5 stars Yes, this book definitely worked for me. The characters are interesting and the mystery unusual. I'm so glad I still have a lot of this write3.5 stars Yes, this book definitely worked for me. The characters are interesting and the mystery unusual. I'm so glad I still have a lot of this writer to read: her stories hit all my sweet spots. I have finished several of her series so far, and I still want more. I'm a super fan....more
2.5 stars I like this author's shorter mysteries (e.g. Lord Julian Mysteries series) much more than her longer romances. This novel just demonstrated m2.5 stars I like this author's shorter mysteries (e.g. Lord Julian Mysteries series) much more than her longer romances. This novel just demonstrated my point. It was so slow, I wanted to scream. Only the interesting hero and heroine saved the book from being a total flop, but even then, why did Burrowes give the POV space/time to so many other characters? She should've stayed in the protagonists' head all the time. As it was, with so many different points of view, the story seemed diluted, its focus off-kilter. ...more
A decent historical mystery/romance, this book is not my favorite among this author's oeuvre, but it has its charms. It was a quick and easy read and A decent historical mystery/romance, this book is not my favorite among this author's oeuvre, but it has its charms. It was a quick and easy read and an enjoyable one. ...more
Lovely. I really love this series. In this book, Lord Julian's mother asks him to find a few old letters that had gone missing from her traveling deskLovely. I really love this series. In this book, Lord Julian's mother asks him to find a few old letters that had gone missing from her traveling desk. She is at a house party, and Julian joins the party to search for the letters. His investigation, after a few bumps and detours, takes him in a totally unexpected direction, while he is assisted by his beloved Hyperia and his loyal tiger Atticus. Julian's romance with Hyperia also proceeds apace. In this installment, they are becoming even closer than before. The readers have no doubt now that our lovers will end up together. I wish to read about their wedding at last - both Hyperia and Julian deserve their HEA. Unfortunately, the author still dithers, so I have no choice but to keep reading this series. The next installment - about Christmas - will come out in November. I can't wait. Note: I think that after I'm done with my pile of library books, I want to re-read this series from the beginning....more