While I have a huge TBR, it’s been a little while since I picked up much by way of freebies. For my TBR Challenge read this month, I went down memory While I have a huge TBR, it’s been a little while since I picked up much by way of freebies. For my TBR Challenge read this month, I went down memory lane a bit and pulled a novella that I picked up at RWA about ten years ago. Back before RWA went off the rails, I used to attend to get book news, publishing information, meet favorite authors and just spend time with other book bloggers. Along the way, I discovered a number of new-to-me authors and I always came home with a box full of what I hoped would be hidden treasures. The Short and Fascinating Tale of Angelina Whitcombe definitely falls into that ‘treasure’ category. This novella by Sabrina Darby is a wonderful take on the Beauty and the Beast story.
The basic set-up is a tad unusual. John Martin has come home haunted by the horrors of the Napoleonic Wars. He’s become something of a hermit, living in the ruins of an old castle on the family property in the north of England. His mother wants to see him married and settled and decides that she needs to get him interested in women again, so that he might be motivated to find a gently born wife. So, what does she do? She hires him a mistress.
That’s right. Angelina Whitcombe enters the picture as a mistress for hire. Once a successful actress, she has been spurned by her protector and is at somewhat of a loose end. She answers the ad in the newspaper, and finds herself wandering around the desolate castle ruin, ostensibly there to sketch the landscape. She manages to engineer a meeting with John, but the chemistry that builds between them is all too real.
The sexy love story that ensues is a strikingly beautiful one. John and Angelina are both wounded souls, even if the hermit-like John is perhaps the more obvious ‘Beast’ character in this scenario. Despite the somewhat cynical setup of the story, there is something incredibly tender about the writing in this novella. John and Angelina start to connect on a deeply emotional level and they become each other’s safest, most trusted person. Ms. Darby’s writing gives this story a very romantic feel.
I loved this beautiful, devastating book. Those who read Every Heart a Doorway may remember Katherine Lundy, the counselor who aged in reverse. This nI loved this beautiful, devastating book. Those who read Every Heart a Doorway may remember Katherine Lundy, the counselor who aged in reverse. This novel tells her story.
At age 6, Lundy enters the Goblin Market. It's an enchanting place and for the first time in a while, she feels truly at home - even if sometimes things seem not quite right. She quickly learns that this world has three rules: (1) Ask for nothing, (2) Names have power and (3) Always give fair value.
These rules pop up again and again in the story, particularly that last one. Not only is the writing in this story evocative and beautiful, but the author keeps drawing one's thoughts to that idea of fair value. What is fair? What is just? After all, the Goblin Market claims to be consistent in applying that rule of fair value. Yet, we see at least one instance where a life a taken without compensation. And what of children? The book makes one think about what sets of standards are fair to apply - not mention what does a world of so-called fairness looks like without mercy or sometimes even understanding.
This book is a very thoughtful one. A reader can enjoy the dark fairytale of the story, but the author also invites one to ponder some deeper questions here.
CW: child death, corporal punishment, abandonment and loss...more
This steamy novella was a fun read indeed. My only real quibble with it was that I wanted more!
The leads are both 40-something and have grown childrenThis steamy novella was a fun read indeed. My only real quibble with it was that I wanted more!
The leads are both 40-something and have grown children. Lauren is the town librarian, long divorced and basically satisfied with her life even if she can't help noticing the fire captain at the station next door. Jake Davis had been happily married, but lost his wife several years ago. He has pulled his life together and seems to know that he's ready for the next chapter, whatever that might be.
Lauren and Jake have been quietly eying one another for quite a while now. However, in addition to being ambivalent about the idea of new relationships, Jake is friends with Lauren's ex-husband.
I loved the way this story was set up. We immediately see the potential between these two, and then Ms. Dahl throws in the catalyst to make this relationship happen - a fun, boozy girls' night out. Lauren heads out to a bar with one of her younger friends/colleagues and Jake shows up. The rest is magic.
The chemistry between the leads is intense, and they just worked well together. I liked that, when dealing with prior relationships, the author didn't make either of their first spouses over-the-top evil. Jake loved his wife when they were together, but he also doesn't need what he needed back when he got married in his early 20s. Lauren's not the traditional, passive and sweet wife her ex-husband wanted, but Jake very clearly sees who she is and appreciates her for who she is. In that sense, the story worked beautifully. I would have only enjoyed seeing more story for Lauren and Jake....more
3.5 stars The setting made this short novella stand out. Clark sets his story in an alternate New Orleans of airships, Yoruba deities and other elemen3.5 stars The setting made this short novella stand out. Clark sets his story in an alternate New Orleans of airships, Yoruba deities and other elements of African mythologies - and a South that achieved armistice in the Civil War, rather than 100% defeat.
The lead, Creeper, is a teen girl living on the streets of New Orleans. In this version of New Orleans, confederate militias are a big danger and the leads in this book, all of whom are Black, want to keep their sanctuary city free.
When Creeper cases out new passengers arriving by airship, she overhears plans involving something called the Black God's Drums. She knows this is something big, and shares it with an airship captain that she at least semi-trusts. This secret proves to be a number of things to different people. It's a weapon that could destroy a city's way of life forever, but it also just might be Creeper's ticket out of the path she's trapped on. She dreams of being an airship captain and travelling the world, and the quest unleashed by mention of the Black God's Drums just might get her there.
I liked the lead characters and the latter portion of the story flowed really well. However, the world of this novella is complex and there was a lot of info-dumping the beginning that really slowed things down. This novella perhaps didn't need to be a 300+ page book, but it could have stood to be at least a few chapters longer.
CW: mention of racist violence, racist remarks (countered), discussion of slavery and slaves being drugged into compliance, death, loss of parent, violence...more
3.5 stars, B- at All About Romance I wasn’t sure quite what I wanted to read this time around, but I knew that I had some short stories and novellas s3.5 stars, B- at All About Romance I wasn’t sure quite what I wanted to read this time around, but I knew that I had some short stories and novellas sitting on my Kindle. I ended up reading Playing House, a novella by Ruby Lang that is first in a trilogy I’ve been meaning to read. The best parts of this story definitely live up to the rave reviews I’ve seen on Twitter, though I found myself wishing that there was a bit more to this one.
Fay Liu has quite the meet-cute with her former classmate Oliver Huang when he rescues her from a pushy guy at an open house. Unknown to Fay, Oliver always had a bit of a crush on her so he’s happy to play knight in shining armor. While Fay is a successful partner in a planning firm, Oliver is currently unemployed and trying to figure out his life while living with his brother. Both are urban planners and even if it felt contrived, it was fun to watch Oliver and Fay set out on a series of fake dates pretending to be newlyweds touring open houses.
There’s something funny, real and earnest about the author’s voice in this novella, so I found myself drawn to her characters and their world right away. Fay is newly divorced and her insecurities felt awkwardly genuine. Oddly enough, when she and Oliver play-act their way around New York, it seemed like Fay could really be herself.
This novella really is amazing. It's fantasy and a horror story rolled into one, and yet with an ending that is oddly hopeful.
There are plenty of storThis novella really is amazing. It's fantasy and a horror story rolled into one, and yet with an ending that is oddly hopeful.
There are plenty of stories about children who get whisked away to other worlds. This book explores what happens to them when they return. They are inevitably changed by their experiences, so where do they go if their fantasy lands no longer have a place for them and yet they no longer fit into our world in quite the same way? Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children gives these children a place to land and have a haven for themselves. Of course, all is not well at the home when Nancy's parents send her there after her return from the underworld, but to say much more would be to give away too much. There is a lot going on in this novella, and discovering it is quite a read....more
When I read A Kiss at Midnight, I so wanted Wick to find a happy place in life for himself. As Gabriel's illegitimate half-brother, he is loved by hisWhen I read A Kiss at Midnight, I so wanted Wick to find a happy place in life for himself. As Gabriel's illegitimate half-brother, he is loved by his family but occupies an uncertain place in the world. He works on Gabriel's estate, but is neither entirely servant nor aristocrat.
In this novella, Miss Philippa Damson flees her betrothal knowing that she does not want to marry the son of the local baronet. She offers her services as nursemaid to the castle. Almost immediately she catches Wick's eye. He knows she is not what she claims to be, but he fears he has little to offer her.
While I enjoyed what was here, the story felt a little too slight. I wanted there to be more. Still, I rounded up to 4 stars because I did like what I read, and there was this swoonworthy line from Wick:
"If I do not come for you, it is not for want of desire for you, nor for want of love for you, nor for want of trying. I would do anything to be worthy of you."
If you've read A Kiss at Midnight, definitely check out this sequel of sorts....more
3.5 stars As with everything I've read by Tracy Grant, this story is well written. If you're a fan of the Rannochs as I am, you will likely enjoy this3.5 stars As with everything I've read by Tracy Grant, this story is well written. If you're a fan of the Rannochs as I am, you will likely enjoy this story because it lets the reader be present for the birth of their child. There's a bit of a mystery woven into the plot, but it doesn't amount to much. The main joy with this story is getting to have a quick visit with characters that readers of Grant's other books, particularly The Paris Affair, will have grown to love. If you're not familiar with the series, this would not be the best intro and I would recommend going back to the beginning or diving into one of the full-length novels....more
3.5 stars A short story that tells a bit of a mystery story with a twist. If you like the leads in Rizzoli & Isles, you'll likely enjoy this. If you'r3.5 stars A short story that tells a bit of a mystery story with a twist. If you like the leads in Rizzoli & Isles, you'll likely enjoy this. If you're not familiar with the series, you might want to start with one of the novels....more
Do you ever pick up a book thinking it has interesting-sounding characters and the right kind of plot to be a winner – and then it just isn’t? As a reDo you ever pick up a book thinking it has interesting-sounding characters and the right kind of plot to be a winner – and then it just isn’t? As a reviewer, that’s happened to me more times that I care to remember. I chose Hot in the City thinking that it had potential to be a great read but instead I ended up with a thoroughly average book and a case of reader's letdown.
From the plot summary, one would expect a contemporary with at least a hint of suspense to it. Dr. Priya Shah meets detective Brian MacGregor when he comes to her emergency room to get stitched up after an arrest goes sideways. They both get what sounds like a case of insta-lust at first sight. So, when the two meet later, their business has more than an edge of something else simmering beneath the surface. And for the first part of the story, it works.
We learn early on in the story that Priya has been the hyper-achieving good girl of her family. Meanwhile, the cousin she adores has been in one scrape after another. This cousin has now disappeared after witnessing what may have been a mob hit. Brian is determined to find her, and his search leads him to Priya. As the two search for Priya’s missing cousin, Brian chases his case while Priya worries about the missing woman. And, naturally, the two start drawing closer together.
This is where the story started to become problematic for me. Things start off well, but then the story falls victim to some form of kitchen sink plotting. There’s romance mixed in with past baggage mixed in with what I think was supposed to be the suspense plot. And by the way, the suspense plot generally never gets to be all that suspenseful so if that’s the main draw for you, you might want to look elsewhere. In general, everything except the sex scenes felt rather truncated and that really is a shame because the author gave herself a lot of material to work with.
IN The Duchess War, we learn that Minnie's dear friend Lydia Charingford has a scandal in her past that would absolutely destroy her if it were to becIN The Duchess War, we learn that Minnie's dear friend Lydia Charingford has a scandal in her past that would absolutely destroy her if it were to become known in society. In this story, we not only learn about Lydia's past, but get to see her put that past behind her and fall in love. The local doctor makes a compassionate (and dreamy!) hero, and I quite enjoyed this little Christmas treat....more
3.5 stars Not a bad little short story. If you already know and love Rizzoli and Isles, you'll probably enjoy it. If you're not familiar with the seri3.5 stars Not a bad little short story. If you already know and love Rizzoli and Isles, you'll probably enjoy it. If you're not familiar with the series, though, I'd recommend starting with one of the books....more
4.5 starsThis month’s theme involves short romances, so we’ve been urged to pull out novellas, short stories and category romances. My choice this mon4.5 starsThis month’s theme involves short romances, so we’ve been urged to pull out novellas, short stories and category romances. My choice this month was pretty easy. When books get buzzed about, I sometimes get curious and buy them – and then procrastinate on my reading.
Such was the case with Mary Ann Rivers’ 2013 novella The Story Guy. Everybody and their dog went into raptures over this story on Twitter and the setup was just quirky enough that it caught my eye. Having read it, I can now say that this story indeed merits all that buzz. There’s a lot of meaty stuff in here that one could discuss, even though one of the plot points bothered me enough that I can’t quite justify giving this novella a DIK review.
As the story begins, we are introduced to Carrie West, a relatively happy thirtysomething librarian. She likes reading the personals for snorts and giggles, and one in particular catches her eye. A man is looking for someone to meet him in the park on Wednesday afternoons, just for kissing. Intrigued, Carrie answers and finds herself meeting a mysterious – and gorgeous – man in the park for kisses. And they are amazing kisses.
We learn that the man in question is attorney Brian Newburgh. And the reason for the weird setup? Well, Brian has some baggage that he’s convinced will make him relationship-ineligible. As one of Carrie’s friends says, he’s a “story guy.” He’s not planning to share that life story with Carrie either, so she(and the reader) are kept in the dark for much of the story.
I felt like it needed a little something more to it, but what we get in Unlocked is still very, very good. More than a few Regency and Victorian histoI felt like it needed a little something more to it, but what we get in Unlocked is still very, very good. More than a few Regency and Victorian historicals feature characters known for their sharp, cutting wit. This is the flip side of that coin. When we first meet Elaine and Evan, we see what those thoughtless remarks have made of them. And watching the mature, remorseful Evan and wallflower Elaine build a bridge to one another and heal truly is beautiful....more
B+ on AAR, so 4.5 stars. Sometimes a short, fun story is just the ticket. Geneva Lee's Two Week Turnaround has just the right amount of humor, angst, B+ on AAR, so 4.5 stars. Sometimes a short, fun story is just the ticket. Geneva Lee's Two Week Turnaround has just the right amount of humor, angst, and sexiness to make for a perfect afternoon read. Given the source of the conflict between the leads, I felt like a little more making of amends was in order, but otherwise, I really liked this one.
Sofia King, daughter of a powerful studio head, had made a name for herself in Hollywood by taking on strung-out stars and turning their lives around for them. As the story opens, Lee throws readers right into the heart of the action, mid-makeover with Sofia. We quickly figure out that Sofia has a passion for her work. And as soon as she gets a phone call from Daddy Dearest, readers start getting a little window into Sofia's frankly dysfunctional family relationship.
However, mixed into all the dysfunction is some genuine affection, loyalty, and perhaps more than a smidgen of guilt and obligation. And so Sofia finds herself having to take on the rehab of the one star she never wanted to deal with again - Isaac Blue. Isaac was Sofia's first love, and he's currently both a big-time action star and her father's latest disaster. In order to keep Isaac's drunken debauchery from shutting down the picture into which her father has poured millions, Sofia has to get Isaac's life functional again.
Even though I believed in Sofia's lack of enthusiasm for her latest client, the chemistry between these two pops from the moment they meet. In fact, things move from business-only to flirtation very quickly. In many books this would not have worked for me, but everything is written so that it seems to flow naturally. The leads' past romantic history probably helps here as well. Given how rapidly these two jump into bed together, I initially found myself wondering, "What in the world is this woman thinking? She's risking her whole business doing something like this!" And yet, in an odd way, these two seemed to click together so well, that I found myself cheering for their relationship more than rolling my eyes over the business ethics issues. Again, I take this as a good author being able to make me want to believe in a storyline that normally wouldn't work for me.
Some authors have a truly distinctive voice. I'd definitely place Charlotte Stein in that category. Her intense storytelling and offbeat characters, aSome authors have a truly distinctive voice. I'd definitely place Charlotte Stein in that category. Her intense storytelling and offbeat characters, amplified by phrasing that almost veers into stream-of-consciousness, definitely stands apart from much of what I read. I've enjoyed a few of her works in the past, but wasn't quite sure her Under the Skin books would be quite my brand of fantasy. However, when I saw Heather Stanton's DIK review of Forbidden, I knew I had to jump in. Taken is by turns goofy and intense, and the final product is unforgettable.
As the story opens, readers will think they have stumbled into some dark and perhaps about-to-get-kinky suspense. Rosie, a college student who needs to rethink her choice of friends, has come to a rare books shop with a friend and they start a little fire. The mastermind gets away, but burly shop owner Johann ("Han") grabs Rosie and before she knows it, she's handcuffed to a bed in the basement.
And then suddenly, everything somehow changes. Instead of dark suspense, we get social awkwardness and glimmers of humor as Rosie and her captor banter with one another. I'll be the first to admit that it's odd, but something about their awkward earnestness and flirtation blends with the edginess of the situation to create an oddly sweet story.
This was a perfect read for being snowbound. It's fun and quirky and most of the time, it really works.
The story centers on three friends who have beeThis was a perfect read for being snowbound. It's fun and quirky and most of the time, it really works.
The story centers on three friends who have been together for years. Sean and Lexie Sinclair are twins, and Fletcher Owens is Sean's best friend who ended up being befriended by both. It's obvious from the beginning that he has had a secret crush on Lexie for quite some time.
The story starts with the usual friends-joking-around kind of stuff, but Morgan does a good job of showing something deeper and maybe a little less comfortable between Lexie and Fletcher. Fletcher is earnest and a little on the endearingly nerdy side, while Lexie is outgoing and ditzy. So, what makes things start to change? Well, Lexie comments for quite a while about Fletcher's "secret life." It turns out that Fletcher's secret is that he volunteers for a search and rescue team.
I'll admit that I initially thought it was kind of lame that Fletcher kept this such a huge secret, but as we get to know him better and get to know some of his doubts and neuroses, it made a little more sense. Likewise, I initially got annoyed with Lexie because the earlier portions of the book somewhat overplay what I think is supposed to be likable goofiness on her part and gets a little too close to gratingly airheaded. That also works itself out as the story goes along.
And what we get by the end is a fun and slightly offbeat read about a couple of people trying to find their way. Definitely worth a read....more
C- so 2.5 stars I spent a summer and semester in Vienna in college,so when I saw A Viennese Christmas available on Netgalley, I pounced on it. I have C- so 2.5 stars I spent a summer and semester in Vienna in college,so when I saw A Viennese Christmas available on Netgalley, I pounced on it. I have happy memories of Austria and would love to see more romance set there. This novella didn't exactly put me in the Christmas spirit, but perhaps someday I'll find another.
Crain's story revolves around two expats in Vienna over Christmas. Amanda Kranz works as a sign language interpreter for the UN and even though she's been in Vienna for quite some time, she hasn't really made friends or started to feel at home there. Heck, she hasn't even bothered learning the most basic of German. I knew people like Amanda when I was in Vienna, and they annoyed me greatly as they passed up the delights of coffeeshops, bakeries and amazing fresh food to go chow down in McDonald's.
Luckily for Amanda, Henry Jager is much more patient. Henry meets Amanda while she is out taking in the sights of the Christkindl markets, a traditional and very festive outdoor event that marks the season in Vienna. He steers her away from one of the more touristy markets and starts to take her on a journey through the city. And along the way, the two start to flirt, a walk in Vienna later becomes dinner and before they know it, the two are dating their way through the Christmas season.
The Advent Bride, first of The Twelve Brides of Christmas novellas, appears meant to be heartwarming story of a schoolteacher reaching a difficultThe Advent Bride, first of The Twelve Brides of Christmas novellas, appears meant to be heartwarming story of a schoolteacher reaching a difficult student and also finding love during the Christmas season. However, it all felt just a bit too flat for me to truly enjoy it.
An orphan without many choices in life, Melanie Douglas has come to Nebraska to teach school and hopefully build a life for herself. From the beginning of the story, readers can tell that she hasn't had a chance to do much in that whole "building a life" department. As was customary at the time, Melanie boards with someone in the community. But, oh, what a someone. Poor Melanie gets stuck with widowed Mrs. Rathbone, one of the few in town with money and a sizable home. Unfortunately for Melanie, she is also possessed of a vicious nature, and constantly belittles and threatens Melanie as well as expecting her to basically act as a maid during her off hours.
And then there's the school. At school, Melanie instantly notices Simon O'Keefe, a motherless boy who has a gift for disrupting the entire class. Melanie has compassion for the boy, and tries to reach out to him. Since Simon's father, Henry, is the town sheriff and frequently working long after school hours, Melanie has ample opportunity to spend time with Simon since he gets left at school long after dismissal.
One thing I will say for this story: All of these tales of woe don't get wrapped up into an overly perfect saccharine-sweet ending. Sometimes the unpleasant things and people stay unpleasant; characters just get ways to deal with them. However, even with that bit of realism, the story still felt flat, particularly when read as a romance. So much of the story centers on the travails and Melanie and Mrs. Rathbone, and the ways Melanie finds to get through to her student Simon that little time is left for romance.
3.5 stars This is the time of year that I start binge reading Christmas romances. Something about them just screams "Comfort read!" to me. I'm usually3.5 stars This is the time of year that I start binge reading Christmas romances. Something about them just screams "Comfort read!" to me. I'm usually not one for children in romances, but I tend to be a bit more tolerant with my holiday stories. Perhaps that's why I downloaded Her Holiday Man. Shannon Stacey's short novella is certainly sweet, but the leads just don't have the emotional connection to make it magical.
Christina Forrester grew up wealthy and then did the expected thing by marrying the wealthy son of a family friend. However, it all turned upside down when her husband got caught running what sounds like a financial scam of Bernie Madoff proportions. Now divorced and all-but-penniless, she lives in small-town New England and tries to make ends meet while working in a convenience store.
Where many folks would likely rely upon the support of friends and family, Christina finds herself largely alone. The family seems to be conveniently dead for the most part, and her friends have all deserted her. So, she raises her son alone. Luckily, she has the perfect neighbor who is apparently happy to provide all kinds of free childcare so that she can actually survive on whatever the convenience store pays.
Not so surprisingly, when Will Broughton comes back to town and finds that his mother seems to have taken Christina on as a project, he gets a bit suspicious. He's protective of his newly widowed mother and worries someone might try to take advantage of her kindheartedness. However, as he gets to see more of the situation with Christina, he comes to realize that far from taking financial advantage of Mrs. Broughton, Christina seems determined to stand on her own two feet. Christina doesn't always have all the answers, but she seems both strong and willing to learn, and I found her quite likable.