Deeanne Gist - Measure of a Lady

FIVE RULES FOR PROPER 19th-CENTURY LADIES
SPEAK POLITELY. Even when you're the only respectable woman around, protesting San Francisco's decadent surrender to gold fever.
DRESS MODESTLY. Wear your sunbonnet at all times. Ensure nobody sees your men's boots muddied by the city streets.
REMAIN DEVOTED TO FAMILY. Protect your siblings from the temptations that surround them, even against their wishes.
STAND ABOVE REPROACH. Most difficult when a captivating man turns out to be a saloon owner.
RISE ABOVE TEMPTATION. No accepting gifts. No bestowing favors. No impeachable behavior ... well, maybe just one...little...kiss?
WHEN THESE RULES BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO UPHOLD, CAN RACHEL VAN BUREN REMAIN A BEACON OF VIRTUE IN A CITY OF VICE?

Comment: This is the second book I've read by the author and I'm still happy with the style and stories.
In this book, Rachel and her brother and sister arrive to San Farancisco because their father told them there was gold to help them become rich but after all all things aren't that easy. Rachel is a proper lady and refuses to abandonn her beliefs to a life of indulgences in a city full of sin. Hwever, with a rebel sister and a virtual love interest, she doesn't know how to keep everything balanced in her life.
I enjoyed the book alot, I liked rachel and hr efforts to get a life for herself and her siblings in a way that's repected and proper. Things aren't easy and soon she realises she has to make some compromises. Still she keeps true to her feelings and beliefs, something I really enjoyed. Johnny, her love interest, is a quiet but strong person and helps everytime she needs and it's very good to see them fall in love.
I admit I got very angry at her sister's behaviour, she didn't realise how her actions were seen by others and although one must try to eb true to one's dreams and beliefs, there are limits.
I have another book by the author to read and but I'm sure it will be as good as this one and the other I had read before.

George Orwell - 1984

Written in 1948, 1984 was George Orwell’s chilling prophecy about the future. And while 1984 has come and gone, Orwell’s narrative is timelier than ever. 1984 presents a startling and haunting vision of the world, so powerful that it is completely convincing from start to finish. No one can deny the power of this novel, its hold on the imaginations of multiple generations of readers, or the resiliency of its admonitions—a legacy that seems only to grow with the passage of time.

Comment: This is a book everyone should read. Not because the extreme settings will happen but because everything described would happen if we're not careful.
It's a book to make you think and wonder how much psychology is within all the reasoning behind what we are led to believe. Nothing is black and white and this book is like a warning bell to the fact we accept everything and others hide that with shining commercials and misunderstood explanations.
I won't talk about the storyline, which is interesting while reading, the "fun" part is to make up our own minds about things as we read.
I felt many things while reading, and I fear somethings are indeed going to happen, not like it is in the book, of course, but still in a subtle way. We are already programmed t think about certain subjects in a particular way because it suits others.
Anyway, this is a good reflection on the difference between good and bad and mostly, on how much power anyone or anyhting sould have.

Nicole Kimberling - Primal Red

Peter Fontaine is a reporter writing for a free weekly newspaper in the quirky little town of Bellingham. Nick Olson is a reclusive painter with questionable past and a studio in the Vitamilk Building. Peter has a knack for choosing to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this case that place is the Vitamilk Building and the time is the moment that Shelley Vine, local art professor and rising star of the art world, is stabbed to death.

Determined to understand why Vine was killed, and convinced that breaking the story could jumpstart his career as an investigative journalist, Peter begins his own investigation into her death. As Peter uncovers more information about Vine, Olson, and the interconnected lives of the rest of the artists at the Vitamilk Building, he finds himself falling in love with Nick.

Peter wants a story but he also wants Nick, and it looks like he's going to have to make a choice before the two can paint the town Primal Red.

Comment: It was difficult to me to get in the books's pace properly. Something was good at first, probably the constant changing of text between the main character's POV and his personal thoughts. Once I got that things started to look better.
The story focuses on art and mystery. Two strong subjects. However I preferred the romance happening in there. Peter was funny and I liked him immediatly. Nick is more cute in a shy kind of way. I liked how they didn't have sex right away, it took some time and understanding which is good because many novels start with meaningless sex and then it's more difficult to see the change to deep love, especially if ther eader doesn't "see" that. In this case it happened slowly and thus, more crdibility to the relationship.
The rest of the novel was a bit predictable, the secondary characters were a bit of a stereotype but they didn't suffocate the story, considering it wasn't that big in word count.
I liked and might look for more things by the author, particulary because there's a sequel to this one.

K. A. Mitchell - No Souvenirs

Trauma surgeon Jae Sun Kim has just lost the job he wanted more than anything else in his life. Looking for a way to hit the reset button, he takes a scuba vacation. He didn’t plan on seasickness, or a dive master who is sex-on-the-beach personified.

Shane McCormack’s tendency to drift away from complicated situations has landed him a job as a dive master in Belize, which isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. But with the big three-oh looming, asking his parents to bail him out again isn’t an option. The job isn’t without its perks, though, and as soon as he figures a way to keep that hot but arrogant ass of a doctor from tossing his cookies over the side of the boat, he plans to flirt the control freak out of his brittle shell.

The close quarters on the ship generate more heat than either expects, but a vacation fling is all that’s in the plans. An unexpected adventure leaves them changed in ways that make it impossible to go back to their old lives. The risks they’ll both have to take could leave them with nothing but more scars, or the best souvenir of all.

Comment: This is the third story with connected characters. I've read the previous ones some time ago and the thing I loved the most was the fact the relationship between the main characters started as something easy, not a big deal and then, in the end, I believed it was real love.
The author has the ability to make her characters live and learn while dealing with others and it hapened in theis book too.
Shane and Kim started in lust and ended in love. I especially liked how both of them had some insecurities and overcame them together. I like it when a story takes a while to be done. Things don't just happen in RL, so it's a pleasure to see it in fiction too.
Things weren't easy to them to admit, much less accept, but Kim in particular made a decison I think not everyone could do. Taking a chance on something you're not sure shows a lot of courage and like I said, not everyone has it.
All in all, a great read.

Karma Eastwick - Imitation of Life

In New York City, Broadway actor Mars Manchester faces two dilemmas, one professional, the other personal...Although the handsome and talented thespian is discreet yet openly gay when it comes to his family, friends, and agent, he knows his sexual orientation could have a negative impact on landing roles in other mediums. Now that he's starting to branch off into movie and television work, he worries some producers might hesitate to hire a gay man as a romantic lead if word ever got out. So when Mars lands the role of Wave Benson, a new gay character on the long-running daytime soap opera Destiny's Storm, a controversial role that could prove challenging and rewarding and shift his career into high gear, he remains fearful that he could get typecast like so many other actors in the business. And when it comes to his personal life, Mars battles to hold his feelings in check when he falls hopelessly in love with his roommate, another actor by the name of Reed Keeting. Unfortunately, there's one major stumbling block...Reed is straight. And to make matters even worse, the man has an annoying girlfriend who not only senses Mars's secret crush on her lover, but delights in making his life miserable at every opportunity. Yet when conversations lead Mars to believe his sexy roommate is perhaps not as straight as he appears, he can't help recalling his last relationship, one with another 'straight man,' that ended in utter disaster. Will Mars ever find the courage to follow his heart and explore the possibilities of a fulfilling relationship with Reed, or will he remain miserable, allowing one bad love affair to dictate his future? Or will his storyline on Destiny's Storm, which often seems an imitation of his personal life, give him added encouragement to seek happiness once and for all, especially when Reed also snags a coveted role on the soap...to play his gay lover? Daytime Soaps Will Never Be The Same!

Comment: This was the first book I've read by this author. I read the blurb and it seemed interesting. While reading I realized the author does have talent but the way the story is presented seems to be too aloof, I mean, it lacks some seriousness, it's difficult to see the main characters as someone seriously interested in a relationship when most moments thinking alone are too focused on the sexual part of the relationship.
Of course, one would say that is part of the imation to real life the title relates to, but to me personaly, I prefer a bit more thought, a little bit of angst to solidify the feelings between the characters. In here it didn't happen, although I admit I liked the way it ended.
The writing isn't my favourite kind, where we only see one of the character's POV, but I managed to overcome that. Like I said, I wish I'd seen a bit more seriousness in the story though.

2 In 1: Going Twice

He was a mighty Scottish warrior who lived in a world bound by ancient laws and timeless magic. But no immortal powers could prepare the laird of Castle Brodie for the lovely accursed lass who stood before him. A terrible trick of fate had sent her 700 years back in time and into his private chamber to tempt him with her beauty--and seduce him with a desire he could never fulfill. For this woman he burned to possess was also the woman he had foresworn to destroy.
When Lisa felt the earth move under her feet, the fiercely independent 21st-century woman never dreamed she was falling...into another century. But the powerful, naked warrior who stood glaring down at her was only too real...and too dangerously arousing. Irresistibly handsome he might be, but Lisa had no intention of remaining in this savage land torn by treachery and war. How could she know that her seductive captor had other plans for her...plans that would save her from a tragic fate? Or that this man who had long ago forsaken love would defy time itself to claim her for his own....

Comment: Years ago I read the book before this one and I liked it. However, I started buying the following ones as translations, and only now I have them all, so this month starts the reading of the rest of this series.
This book was very romantic and a classic time-travel with lots of love and doubts and making peace and slow recongnition of true feelings. A seductive and addicting read. Who enjoys these types of books this one is a winner. In all the impossibilities I found the things happening having some kind of order and that made the book a good one to me. Nothing was too stupid to happen, even if it's all make-believe.
Like I said the romance was good and I liked seeing the beginnings of the legends and basis to the author's UF series as well.

Years ago, a young girl was beaten and raped while onlookers did nothing. Now those witnesses are becoming victims themselves...
Baltimore city Homicide Detective JD Fitzpatrick has seen a lot of horrific violence, both as a cop and during his deployment in Afghanistan, but nothing like the trail of tortured bodies turning up throughout the city. He's up against a brutal killer with a very personal vendetta, and JD is beginning to suspect that his medical examiner may be shielding some crucial evidence linked to the case.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Lucy Trask is intrigued by JD's compassion, but she isn't about to mix work with pleasure. Not while there's a ruthless killer on the loose. And definitely not while she's keeping a dark secret that could connect her to these vicious killings -- and put her next on the killer's hit list...

Comment: Another good suspense book by this author. I'm a fan of her work and I have all her books. I'll certainly keep reading. In this one I think we see the second most easy to understand villain (after the one in You Can't Hide) because the reasons why he does what he does are quite valid, he just chose a very bad way to see them honored. Like the song, I felt it "was a murder but not a crime". The romance was bold, interesting, different. Usually it's all very proper with this author but Lucy's and JD's love affair was quite refreshing. To bad we didn't find out JD's real name, or should I say, what his initials stand for. But the rest was almost perfect. This isn't my favourite of hers but it is very good.

2 In 1: Going Once

~Well, here I am again. I'm not missing, just very busy because of my job, which takes up a lot of time I could spend here.

Anyway, I have 6 books to speak about and I'm far behind, considering I'll probably won't have much time to post in the following week either. So I'll write two mini comments for 4 of those books, two of them today, the others tomorrow.~

At eighteen, Corinne Bishop was a beautiful, spirited young woman living a life of privilege as the adopted daughter of a wealthy family. Her world changed in an instant when she was stolen away and held prisoner by the malevolent vampire Dragos. After many years of captivity and torment, Corinne is rescued by the Order, a cadre of vampire warriors embroiled in a war against Dragos and his followers. Her innocence taken, Corinne has lost a piece of her heart as well -- the one thing that gave her hope during her imprisonment, and the only thing that matters to her now that she is free.

Assigned to safeguard Corinne on her trip home is a formidable golden-eyed Breed male called Hunter. Once Dragos's most deadly assassin, Hunter now works for the Order, and he's hell-bent on making Dragos pay for his manifold sins. Bonded to Corinne by their mutual desire, Hunter will have to decide how far he'll go to end Dragos's reign of evil -- even if carrying out his mission means shattering Corinne's tender heart.

Comment: Another book in this series, so far, it wasn't my favourite, because I never imagined this heroine for Hunter, the breed that was set free and joined the "good guys". I imagined someone from the outside world, a breedmate that didn't know about breeds, and I confess I thought about dialogues in my head, Of course it wasn't so, which means part of my - not dislike - "unfavouritism" it's because of that. I won't reveal secrets, but there were some things quite important happening, but perhaps it's due to the fact the series is about to end, or at least, this arc. I haven't checked any news from the author about incoming projects. Overall the book could be better, I think. It seems there could be given more ait time to the characters to process their feelings, to accept things, but the author has a storyline limit not to cross and at the same time the book would have to be longer to achieve that. I liked it, but more becauae I'm a fan since the beginning and not for the story specifically.

Just one short season ago, major league center fielder John Roper had it all: the looks--and personal life--of a sports hero and the public's adoration. But this hot property's lucky streak has run out. After a World Series disaster, fans diss him, shock jocks mock him and his dysfunctional family hassles him for money he really can't spare. Now it's up to him, and Hot Zone publicist Amy Stone, to get his life back on track.

Amy finds it's easier said than done. What with the constant intrusions of his nutty family, a crazed fan playing stalker, and Roper's refusal to put his own needs first, she's starting to think that life in the fast lane isn't all it's cracked up to be. But when the two retreat to a secluded lodge, the sexy center fielder throws Amy a curveball--one she never saw coming..

Comment: I read this story just to have some closure on the series. i had read the previous three books years ago and only recently decided to read some dusty TBR titles. The story is predictable, in the same line as the others and the dialogue could be so much better, I don't know I didn't feel much eagerness to see what they would say to easch other. It's a fun read to relax, to read between other things, but definetily not my everday choice.

Tess Gerritsen - The Surgeon

He slips into their homes at night and walks silently into bedrooms where women lie sleeping, about to awake to a living nightmare. The precision of the killer's methods suggests he is a deranged man of medicine, propelling the Boston newspapers to name him "The Surgeon." The cops' only clue rests with the victim of a nearly identical crime. Two years ago, Dr. Catherine Cordell fought back and killed her attacker before he could complete his assault. Now this new killer is re-creating, with chilling accuracy, the details of Cordell's own ordeal. With every new murder he seems to be taunting her, cutting ever closer, from her hospital to her home. Her only comfort comes from Thomas Moore, the detective assigned to the case. But even Moore cannot protect Cordell from a brilliant hunter who somehow understands--and savors--the secret fears of every woman he kills....

Comment: This was the first book I've read by mrs Gerritsen. I was told she writes a good crime story with some elements of romance..so it was sold pretty easily to me.
I think the strongest point in the book is the mystery indeed. It was good to see the story develop and to look forward to see what else might happen. There were also some moments I thought things were too creepy and once I was reading before sleeping and I did have to close the book! The author knows what she's talking about and she has a talent to creat a good suspense.
The romance part..well, I've read better even when it's a crime book, but to be honest I didn't find it lacking because the small tidbits were juicy and left things to the imagination and sometimes less is better.
I was eager to read more about secondary characters and a friend has told me one of them features heavily in the following books, so I want to get them fast..I already order the next two.
I enjoyed the feel in the air surrounding the story and how it helped create the perfect atmosphere. I can't wait to read more.