Saturday, December 19, 2020

Review: Playing House

Playing House Playing House by Ruby Lang
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fay is out looking at apartments and some random dude keeps hitting on her. When she sees Oliver, she jumps at the chance to make him her pretend boyfriend so the asshole backs off. What follows is continued coupledom as they tour available properties for purchase.
Fay and Oliver know each other. I wouldn't call them friends per say, but more acquaintances who know many of the same people/run in the same circles. They have an interest, but the timing was never right. Both are urban planners- not a job seen in romancelandia. Reading about urban planning was interesting. What complicates things is Oliver's application for a position at Fay's company and his difficulty in telling her. I thought Fay was the stronger character. Oliver read as much younger than 36 (I think that was his stated age), IMO. Overall, a nice friends to lovers.

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Review: Love in the Time of Scandal

Love in the Time of Scandal Love in the Time of Scandal by Caroline Linden
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



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Sunday, November 22, 2020

Review: Croc and the Fox

Croc and the Fox Croc and the Fox by Eve Langlais
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover

Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 2 of 5 stars



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Review: Scandalous Ever After

Scandalous Ever After Scandalous Ever After by Theresa Romain
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kate was widowed after her not-so-awesome husband fell off a horse and was kicked in the head accidentally. He also left her with debt and she is in danger of losing property to pay it off. She is reunited with Evan, one of her husband's close friends who become one her hers as well. He and Con (Kate's dead husband) had argued the day he died and she hasn't seen him in about 2 years.
I enjoyed the previous book and the prequel. This one was a letdown. This one was dry and hard to get into. Both Kate and Evan are difficult to connect with. This does get better about 1/2 through.
Evan has been in love with Kate for about 13 years and it took him forever to confess it. Same with Kate, it took her some time to realize she loved him too.
It's been awhile since I read the previous book and there was a blackmail plot in that one involving someone by the name Anne Jones (a former mistress of William Chandler). I don't remember the exact details anymore, but the same character factors into a plot-line in this one. There is also the revelation that Con may have been murdered and the smuggling of "ancient" artifacts. I think the mystery of the smuggling/murder could have been played up more. It got more interesting with this info. But, this is resolved very easily (a little too easily IMO). And after all that, Anne still gets away. So, maybe she will appear in Jonah's book too?

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Monday, November 16, 2020

Review: The Ruin of a Rake

The Ruin of a Rake The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Julian and Courtenay both meet in the previous book. As a favor to his sister, Julian takes Courtenay under his wing to help repair his reputation. It appears there is a book out that is scandalous and people attribute to Lord Courtenay.
Things happen and people aren't quite what they appear. This was a satisfying read.

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Review: Dearest Rogue

Dearest Rogue Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Phoebe and James' (Captain Trevillion) story. Phoebe is Hero's (book 2) and Maximus's (book 6) sister. Phoebe has been gradually losing her sight since about the age of 12 and is now completely blind. As a result of both her disability and her brother's status, Maximus enlists a bodyguard to keep her safe. Enter James, who sustained a career ending injury after his horse (Cowslip) was shot from underneath him.
Someone is trying to kidnap Phoebe. Things happen and James takes her home; his own backstory is revealed. I do like Phoebe and James, but I was more intrigued by Eve and Val (Duke of Montgomery). I wondered about them and what their relationship was and am interested in their backstory. Luckily, Eve's story is next with Val's to follow.
(view spoiler)

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Review: Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti

Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti by Bailey Cates
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5*
This takes place about 6 mo after the first book. Katie is settled in and is learning about the Craft. The bakery is doing well, and they had to hire another person to help- Cookie one of the coven members. The mystery starts right away with the discovery of a dead body while Katie is out on a picnic with Declan. Katie still has 2 guys (Declan and Steve) that are interested in her (and they hate each other).
Decent mystery. The love triangle appears to be resolved in this one (based on something Katie says at the end of this one). Steve's dad is an asshole. There is a new detective aware of the paranormal (Taite). We will see where Katie ends up next.

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Saturday, October 31, 2020

Review: A Familiar Tail

A Familiar Tail A Familiar Tail by Delia James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Anna (Annabelle Amelia Blessingsound Britton- say that 5 times as fast as you can!) is an artist who is in town for a break and to visit her BFF who runs a local restaurant. While in town she comes across a gray cat who adopts her. Alistair (the cat) leads her to things/places/conclusions she would not have gone on her own. Turns out, Anna is a born witch who had no idea of her family history.
This had a bit of a slow start. Once I got into it, this was good. It had likable characters, self-discovery, and decent mystery. I was curious about Anna's history and why she had no idea about it. The explanation made sense once she was able to talk to her Grandma (she was named after her).

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Monday, September 28, 2020

Review: Tails, You Lose

Tails, You Lose Tails, You Lose by Carol J. Perry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5* rounded up
This picks up right where the first left off. Lee has volunteered as an instructor in at the Tabby (Tabitha Trumbull Academy of the Arts). She's dating a detective (Pete) and living with her aunt (Ibby/Isobel). I didn't quite like this one as much as the first. I think it's because Lee didn't use her ability that much and for a good part of the book ignored it/wanted it to do away. Her relationship with Pete is very rated G. Her friend River had more of a presence in this one. Overall, decent mystery.
Read for Romance-opoly Autumn square- moon track

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Saturday, September 26, 2020

Review: Night of the Tiger

Night of the Tiger Night of the Tiger by N.J. Walters
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was nice in that it dealt with a goddess that was older then the Olympians, the Lady of the Beasts. When the Olympians rose to defeat her, she cursed/saved her 7 warriors to remain as statues in the form of their animals. Each will have a chance to be saved by their mate/person/lover.
Roric was the white tiger. It appears that 3 of his fellow warriors were freed before him (the serpent (Mordecai), the Phoenix (same name), the Jaguar (Stavros). Their fate is unsure (mostly- we know what happened to Mordecai and were told what happened to the other 2).
Aimee has been having dreams for years. Recently the dreams are more realistic and worse. Aimee has also had tragedy. Her parents were killed by a drunk driver and Aimee had severe, life changing injuries. Aimee is a reclus and illustrates comic books/graphic novels for a living.
Aimee and Roric's attraction was instant and very insta-love. Lots of sexytimes. I think the instant attraction/love factor both worked (they only had 24 hours) and didn't (this for the same reason). Aimee had a lot of backstory, Roric not so much. Even though this is supposed to be stand alone, the others are still carousal animals/fate unknown/Hades helper and the Lady is still trapped in the Underworld. I'm not sure at this point if I would read more in the series.
Read for Romance-opoly fall square sun track

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Friday, September 18, 2020

Review: Tsunami Blue

Tsunami Blue Tsunami Blue by Gayle Ann Williams
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

In 2023 the world is destroyed by tsunami's breaking all the continents into a series of islands. The tsunamis are extremely violent, strong, and unpredictable. Kathryn, AKA Tsunami Blue, can predict them (the ocean talks to her). Runners (pirates) are after her for her ability. She lives in hiding (or so she thinks). One day, she rescues a stranger (Gabriel) on her beach.
I was disappointed in this one. I didn't "get" the romance- how can you be with someone and not trust them? Blue calling Gabriel "tough guy" all the time too- this was just annoying. I thought Gabriel could have shared much sooner too. This just wasn't for me.
I read this for Romance-opoly The Vault sun track

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Review: The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir

The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir by John R. Bolton
My rating: 1 of 5 stars



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Review: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

William, AKA Temple, was a Marquess and the heir to a Dukedom when he was accused of murder. This opens with the event. His father is getting married to bride #4. His future step-mother to be (Mara) is also younger than him. Mara drugs him and miscalculates; thinking only to "ruin" herself and make her marriageable, he instead is accused of murder and ostracized. William has no memory of that night. Fast forward, he becomes one of the founders of the Fallen Angel, an exclusive gaming hall.
I really didn't like what Mara did. I didn't like the circumstances of her re-introduction to Temple/William. The problem was there were strings attached to her coming forward. I didn't understand her loyalty to her asshole brother (although one could agree she was protecting her orphanage). I still found Mara to be a sympathetic character and when it was all said and done, I did like her. I do wish she had acted earlier. I thought William/Temple was an awesome character.

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Review: The Heart Principle

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang My rating: 5 of 5 stars This has been a fantastic series.  Of ...