2015 challenges completed

This year is almost done and I've completed the two challenges I've decided to do. While both provided interesting reads, I will only repeat one of them in 2016.

This is the challenge's page, which will be updated soon.

 

The thing is, I like challenges with themes and ones that can allow me to use my TBR list titles. I have so many, it feels a waste of time to look for books on purpose to suit a theme. I like to use my books to do that. So many challenges don't allow me that and I feel sad to not participate in them, but it's the way I am.

 

The two challenges I've done this year were different in the way they suit me.

The TBR Challenge is actually perfect for me. I could read one book a month, I had a generic enough theme to follow, something I truly appreciate.

 

The Alphabet Challenge didn't have a theme, I only had to pick titles to suit each alphabet letter, but some letters were more difficult and in one or two cases I had to not only look for a book I didn't have to fulfill the letter or I had to choose a book I wouldn't in this point for the same reason. That certainly stressed me out and got the fun out of it.

 

To me, the best challenge is the TBR one, at least personally.

I can use my own books, I can think about broad concepts and it's only one book, so I can basically use time on my own way.

This year, for the TBR challenge, I picked interesting books, some weren't that good but that's part of the fun, not knowing how good or how bad the book is, but it would be read so...why not ally the good to the useful?

 

The Alphabet challenge was interesting too, most books were successes, but the ones I had to use to just fill up gaps didn't win me over as much and that felt like a duty, which wasn't as fun. It felt something more restrictive, I can't explain it. Part of the challenge was actually very interesting, but I wasn't as amazed as I thought, despite recognizing it's only a personal pet peeve of mine and not a resemblance on the challenge's purpose or intent.

 

All in all, I like to follow challenges but I've come to realize I'm very picky and I want certain ideas to match my own goals. Maybe that's wrong if I belong to a group with rules, but it's the way I want things to happen.

This experience was quite interesting though and despite only participating in two, I was still quite busy with the challenges, plus my book clubs and personal choices.

Reading is what matters but challenges are for me more about the hows than the actual management to complete them. 

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Louisa Edwards - Can't Stand the Heat

For sharp-tongued Miranda Wake, the chance to spend a month in Adam Temple’s kitchen to write an exposé is a journalistic dream come true. Surely Miranda can find a way to cut the hotshot chef down to size once she learns what really goes on at his trendy Manhattan restaurant. The trouble is, she never expected Adam to find out her most embarrassing secret: this critic has no idea how to cook.
As for Adam, well, he’s not about to have his reputation burned by a critic who doesn’t even know the difference between poaching and paring. He’ll just have to give the tempting redhead a few private lessons of his own—teaching Miranda what it means to cook with passion.

Comment: I picked this book because it would be a great title for the letter C in the soup challenge. I was also curious about the story because years before I had gotten the second installment in the Recipe for Love series - in which this book also belongs - and when I realized there was a first one, I got it and now, many months later, it was finally the perfect time to get to it.

 

Miranda Wake is a food critic and she gets the opportunity of a lifetime when she is challenged by chef Adam Temple to try a day in his kitchen before she writes about it negatively. Just when she is getting ready to go and finally have the breakthrough she needs to fulfill her dream of publishing a book, her younger brother shows up after leaving college and he too tries to find work at Adam's restaurant.

Adam Temple is a pragmatic man and food is his life. He feels very attracted to Miranda but can't stand her professional side, even more when he realizes she can't even cook! The lessons he plans will teach her not to criticize before knowing what you're doing turn into seduction ones instead...but will it go anywhere?

 

I liked this contemporary romance. I think my biggest issue about it and why I didn't think it would have a better grade from me is how their relationship didn't feel as deep as it could. I know, we have scenes of them together, sharing private moments and so on, but I wanted more emotion. I think there wouldn't be one single problem with the author upping the connection level between them. The way it is now, it's ok but it could have been so much better.

 

I liked Adam, he's a great character, flawed but willing to do his best in life and despite being a chef, he isn't mean just because, he works hard, he expects others to do the same but he teaches them and rewards those who work and are good people. If I could fault him for something it would be to not be even more romantic than he is!

Miranda, on the other hand, is that character that has a goal, wants to do whatever it takes to get there - in this case, to publish a book - but her ways get sidetracked and she can't manage all the things around her that need her attention. So, she takes the easy way out, which I think was realistic but if her relationship was developing with Adam, why couldn't she confide in him? This is what bothered me too, I wish their bond had gotten stronger and that we could have seen it before the HEA.

I like her personality, her drive to have a good life after the sacrifices she did. She's not heartless like some readers say, but yes, a bit more sharing would have still made a great story but a lot less useless excuses.

The romance between them is good, I liked how things started slowly but then they just seemed so happy together!

 

The writing is ok, this is my first book by the author and I liked it, I'm curious about the next books too. Everything was fluid and easy and it felt like no time was passing while I read, so that's great, unlike books where one takes ages to keep going.

The plot was pretty basic, I think the author could have turned it into something better, but bad it wasn't. I liked the kitchen details, the things related to kitchens, chefs, cooking, I admit I like cooking shows, so this book would be appealing to me too, in that area.

The end is quite sugary but I found no issues with it, it was kind of expected...

 

There's a secondary romance featuring Miranda's brother Jesse and Frankie, the sous-chef . I found it cute, interesting details and moments (Jesse's POV helped) but of course, it doesn't take the focus from the main romance. I'm curious to see if these characters will have any appearances in following books.

 

All in all , a great story. it does fill up all the necessary items to be enjoyable, like I said some things would have been better for me if different, but it's not a bad story. Not the best I've read in the genre, but it was a time I don't regret taking to spend with these characters.

Grade: 8/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Jean Kwok - Mambo in Chinatown

Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Wong grew up in New York’s Chinatown, the older daughter of a Beijing ballerina and a noodle maker. Though an ABC (America-born Chinese), Charlie’s entire world has been limited to this small area. Now grown, she lives in the same tiny apartment with her widower father and her eleven-year-old sister, and works—miserably—as a dishwasher.
But when she lands a job as a receptionist at a ballroom dance studio, Charlie gains access to a world she hardly knew existed, and everything she once took to be certain turns upside down. Gradually, at the dance studio, awkward Charlie’s natural talents begin to emerge. With them, her perspective, expectations, and sense of self are transformed—something she must take great pains to hide from her father and his suspicion of all things Western. As Charlie blossoms, though, her sister becomes chronically ill. As Pa insists on treating his ailing child exclusively with Eastern practices to no avail, Charlie is forced to try to reconcile her two selves and her two worlds—Eastern and Western, old world and new—to rescue her little sister without sacrificing her newfound confidence and identity.

Comment: I got interested in this book after seeing a wonderful review somewhere. I immediately added it up to my pile - if I remember correctly it was back in December or January - and later I got the book. This month I decided I would read it and it was also a handy pick for the alphabet challenge for the letter M.

 

This is the story of Charlie Wong, a young Chinese woman who was born in America after her parents emigrated. Charlie has never done well in school, has been fired from many jobs and now works as a dishwasher in the restaurant in Chinatown where her father works too. One day her younger sister Lisa, a very smart girl, shows her a flyer about a job as a receptionist in a dance studio. Charlie is willing to try but the girls don't say anything to their father because their mother used to be a dancer in Beijing but after coming to America she never danced the same again and eventually died.

At first Charlie tries her best in the reception but her undiagnosed dyslexia surely doesn't help and she makes a mistake. Being used to help an older wise lady from Chinatown to teach tai chi, Charlie offers to help a beginners class and her bosses and co workers realize how talented she can be if only she learns. From here on, Charlie's life changes, her attitude and confidence too, and she has to balance both her lives, the new exciting one and her old, familiar traditional one.

 

I liked this story. It was a nice surprise and in terms of genre, it wasn't heavily dramatic or exaggerated. In fact, it was a sweet self discovery story with a very rich content.

I liked knowing Charlie and realizing how poor her family is, how difficult people from other countries who have a special way of living have to battle their existence in a completely different country, with different values and rules. I think the author told all this without making this story a propaganda for or against anything. It's just the way things surely are.

 

Charlie has been a respectful traditional Chinese girl all her life, she misses her mother, she takes care of the house and her family but she's never done well in school. It wasn't a matter of studying, we realize Charlie is dyslexic and no one has ever helped her so she struggled a lot. Her sister Lisa is her opposite and the young girl is very clever and in the story she will apply to a school where only some can enter. This doesn't mean the sisters aren't getting on well, they are friends and share many things. Charlie's new life will put a brake on some of her sister time because of Charlie's schedules but rest assured, they never get apart.

 

I was impressed by how well the author would insert details from a Chinese house, traditions, beliefs, ways of thinking, everything that can be part of Chinese mentality and behavior into this story. I felt I was learning a lot about a new culture without it being a text book. Some things are so different from what we, in Western countries are used to, that it seems unbelievable but that is the interesting part of it all.

Charlie works in a dance studio, so the story also has a lot of dancing related subjects and hows and whys and it was quite interesting to learn those things too. How marvelous the author could teach so many things while still presenting characters the reader feels invested in and wants to see succeed.

I liked the obvious dichotomy between Chinese and American cultures but it wasn't a way to compare and choose a side, I think there's a balance in everything and Charlie never looses her balance even if it looks like it in one or two situations.

 

Another thing I liked a lot was how this ends well. Yes, there's a HEA at the end...while I was reading I kept thinking this had everything to end in tragedy but I was pleasantly surprised to see the author chose a better, brighter future for everyone. How uplifting and amazing.

 

There are always expectations about the books we read, I thought Charlie would end up with someone different (she gets a boyfriend at the end) although I recognize the suitability of her choice. I also think Lisa went through something that she, being so clever and close to her sister, could have shared sooner, but she's 11 so, a discount is made. I'm glad her problem wasn't as serious as we are led to believe in some scenes.

Some situations also seem to be told rather simplistic which I'm sure is mainly for plot reasons, but I can understand the author tactics and choices.

I could be picky and talk about some characters' actions and some details but overall, I'm quite pleased with this story and I hope everyone I recommended it too will like it as much as I did.

All in all, a great story in my opinion.

Grade: 8/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Peggy L. Henderson - Yellowstone Heart Song

Nurse and avid backpacker Aimee Donovan is offered the opportunity of a lifetime. She encounters a patient who tells her he can send her two hundred years into the past to spend three months in the rugged Yellowstone wilderness at the dawn of the mountain man era. The only requirement: she cannot tell anyone that she's from the future.
How did a white woman suddenly appear in the remote Rocky Mountain wilderness? Trapper Daniel Osborne's first instinct is to protect this mysterious and unconventional woman from the harsh realities of his mountains. While he fights his growing attraction to her, he is left frustrated by her lies and secrecy.
Daniel shows Aimee a side of Yellowstone she's never experienced. She is torn between her feelings for him, and exposing a secret that will destroy everything he holds as truth. As her three months come to an end, she is faced with a dilemma: return to her own time, or stay with the man who opened her eyes to a whole new world. When the decision is made for her, both their lives will be changed forever.

Comment: I've known about this book through KristieJ's blog because she did talk about the author with conviction and I wanted to know what this was about. I eventually managed to get this first book and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to read, so... this month it happened and I'm glad I did.

I also thought it had the perfect title for the Alphabet challenge and it's my Y letter.

 

This is the story of Aimee Donovan, a contemporary nurse who meets an old man promising her a time travel back 200 years to the Yellowstone are, where she can be in the wild on her own and see how life used to be in the region. Aimee accepts but finds herself both surprised and delighted it worked.

She has a little misstep though, but the old man's son, Daniel finds her and helps her. The two of them become closer as time goes by and Daniel helps Aimee to survive the wilderness but she knows her time will be up. How will she deal with separation if everything she ever wanted is right here, 200 years before her time?

 

I've finished this book only last night and I ended up reading almost until 2am. I was certain this would be a practically perfect book but the way it ended made me feel slightly bittersweet - a trait that usually accompanies me in time travel stories. Despite everything, I can't help but having been engaged in this romance, so simple at times but so beautiful...

 

I loved the story's premise, a special artifact sort of concocted by an ancient native tribe or xaman or something and now Zach Osborne can travel in time. He uses it mostly for medical care, so much more difficult to get in the nineteenth century. It was in the hospital he met Aimee, she's a nurse, and sold her the time travel story. The book starts with Aimee already in 1810, walking through Yellowstone in all its natural beauty and she is rescued by Daniel and his tribe brother. The book focuses on the relationship between Daniel and Aimee, the difficulties they have because they have different backgrounds, the problem Aimee has because she can't explain how she ended up there and, of course, the attraction between them.

 

I think this story is, before anything, sweet. This reminds me of the simple romance stories of older days, where the romance and its challenges was the most important thing to deal with and how invested we can be in the main characters.

I really loved Daniel and Aimee's developing relationship, the small steps they took, the slow motion of their attraction and battling feelings. I loved the magic of some scenes and things Aimee did that proved her to be someone Daniel could love. Their connection was about more than physical attraction and it was so wonderful to see a romance focusing on that and in the simplicity of such a relationship.

 

I liked both character's personalities. Both Aimee and Daniel seem simple but hard working people, the sort of heroes we like to see triumph. I think some background information about their pasts was purposely left out, not only because it didn't exist but because it didn't really matter to this story and I really liked the author didn't complicated things, didn't insert more stuff just to make this extra dramatic.

The secondary characters were simple too, no geniuses or exaggerated types of people here, most of them were there to fit a role but sincerely I didn't mind because they added to the story the necessary element, it didn't feel fake or staged.

 

My biggest - probably only - issue with this story was the end. Of course we, the reader, had to expect some conflict, especially when the main couple comes from different times, but I felt the way the solution happened wasn't very smooth. There's some drama, which I actually liked and even made me sad but then something happens, then another drama, then another solution, I don't know, it felt a bit out of control and although I can't say it didn't fit the type of story or even the "feel" of the book so far, I still couldn't help but feeling the problem was dragging in a not so delicate way. Then the epilogue is sweet, not completely innovative but it made me think about what happens when the things we know just stop being there. It's not easy to deal with changes and separation. It made me feel moody and bittersweet because Aimee and Daniel were happy but away from Aimee's familiar world and society.

 

Despite my personal little issue, I still consider this an amazing story, it brought me back to the time when romances were simpler but cute and focused on the relationship. Nowadays so many romances focus on so many plot things, the couple's love seems secondary. Anyway, this is a winner for me and I'll try to read the second installment to see if my attraction remains. As soon as I can, I'll try to get it.

As for this one, if anyone likes time travel romances, it's a great story indeed.

Grade: 8/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Lyn Hamilton - The Xibalba Murders

Lara McClintoch, her marriage ended and her antiques business sold, eagerly embarks on a trip to Mexico to help an old friend solve a mystery. On arrival, her friend puts off their meeting and then disappears. After Lara witnesses a brazen robbery of a valuable statue of the ancient Mayan civilization and stumbles on a corpse in a museum of antiquities, she becomes a police suspect. Afraid of the police and unsure whom to trust, Lara follows clues pointing to black marketeers and zealous revolutionaries. This dangerous trail takes her to remote archaeological ruins, lush jungles, and bustling streets filled with revelers. Lara engages in a thrilling battle of wits and courage to unmask a killer and stop a tomb-robber in the shadowy world of Xibalba, the Lords of Death.

Comment: This is my X pick for the alphabet challenge. I admit I only got it at the beginning of the year for this challenge alone. Getting books on purpose when they aren't things I normally would want to read on my own seems pointless and I'm thinking about not doing this again next year. But I'll think about it...

 

So this story present us Lara, an archeological artifacts expert who used to own a shop with her husband but they got a divorce and he wants half of something she worked very hard to have. Lara is traveling to Mexico to help an old friend solve a situation but when she gets there her friend is gone and Lara becomes a police suspect. Along with a set of characters that seem to have hidden agendas or simply hard to figure out personalities, can Lara put her knowledge to work in a place where the Lords of death, Xibalba were reverenced once upon a time?

 

Ok, so here's my biggest issue with this story, something that really got on my nerves and that somehow slowed down my enthusiasm after the first pages: the story is told, not showed. We know of things or are told information after things happen. For this contributes the fact the narrator is Lara, so our knowledge of things is reduced to what she knows and at the pace she learns things. However, Lara thinks a lot about things, sometimes reaches a conclusion by talking to some people but in reality we, the reader, don't actually see much, we just know because Lara tells it so and because she moves around.

 

I found this state of things to be annoying at some times because it's difficult to accept some situations if we only know about them and don't see it happen or don't see how it happens. And at the end of the book I wasn't that captivated by Lara too, she's practical which is good, we know she's going through a hard spot emotionally, but she and the other characters weren't as engaging and seductive enough, if I can say so, to make me want to care about what would happen.

I guess the writing style just isn't for me and for a first time, I'm not inclined to keep reading things by this author.

 

The plot is essentially a mystery and that part I admit seemed intriguing. A detail here, another there were key to make me keep reading. Then the story got to a point where my feelings got divided between interest and disbelief... Closer to the end of the story, Lara comes up with a reason for why things are happening and why people have been murdered. At this point the story starts to have a very adventurous development and Lara almost looks like a female Indiana Jones doing things almost impossible and out of a movie set for sure. I confess this was the most interesting part in the story, Lara's thoughts, the path she takes, the random steps that lead her to the right places... but at the same time it's hard to believe because it's just so unlikely I had a hard time not rolling my eyes at amazingly moves such as almost dying but discovering a underwater path that would help her, etc.

I understand the point, but it's a situation I can't juts say it's amazing or bad...

 

Lara is a good character, despite everything. I just don't think her voice is used to best advantage of the story. Some situations are better if we can have access to them. Knowing things only at the very end or by Lara's powers of deduction doesn't have the same impact and seems a little bit patronizing because she's supposed to be more clever than we are, somehow.

There are some parts of her personality I liked. She knows things but it's obvious she's not supposed to be superior to others or be cocky, it only seems the author made her look like it. The choices in life reveal someone as normal as anybody else and in some moments I empathized with her. Only at the every end she seemed to be luckier than the average person.

The secondary characters play their part, whether surprising reveals, hidden betrayals, power struggles and friendly presences.

 

In the end, there's a sort of HEA which I found rushed and unexplained and despite the goal in here not being the romance, if it's to be such a quick fix, why bother, even more considering the amount of installments that come after?

I don't know, but everything didn't sound too appealing to me, not enough to keep me reading but I admit to the interesting details and little things we learn. The fast pace of the adventurous last chapters up the grade a bit but it's still half way through in the ladder for me.

Grade: 6/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Rose Lerner - In for a Penny

Lord Nevinstoke revels in acting the young wastrel, until his father is killed in a drunken duel. Never one to do anything halfway, Nev throws off his wild ways to shoulder a mountain of responsibility and debt vowing to marry a rich girl and act the respectable lord of the manor.
Manufacturing heiress Penelope Brown seems the perfect choice for a wife. She's pretty, proper, and looking for a husband.
Determined to rise above her common birth, Penelope prides herself on her impeccable behavior and good sense. Grand Passion? Vulgar and melodramatic. Yes, agreeing to marry Nev was a rare moment of impulse, yet she's sure they can build a good marriage based on companionship and mutual esteem.
But when they arrive at the manor, they're overwhelmed with half-starved tenants, a menacing neighbor, and the family propensity for scandal. As the situation deteriorates, the newlyweds have nowhere to turn but to each other. To Penelope's surprise, she begins to fervently hope that her first taste of Grand Passion in her husband's arms won't be her last.

Comment: I've had this historical book for some time now and I'm sure I was eager to read it at the time but as with most books, it just got lost in the pile. This month I decided to finally get to it and I also planned on using it for the alphabet challenge because it would make a wonderful I entry.

 

This is the story of Lord Nevinstoke, a young man used to the good life, reckless behavior, freedom and parties with his friends. However, his father dies and he is now the heir and the responsible for his family and estates. He soon realizes his father left the family huge debts and he doesn't have the means to pay them of to keep the living style his mother and sister are used to. He sells as much as he can but his only escape will be to marry a heiress.

Penelope Brown is rich because her father, once a poor man, got wealthy due to his brewery business. the aristocrats look down their noses at her and her family but they are accepted in certain places because they can. Nev and Penelope meet once and he seems to find her interesting and easy to talk to. So, when he's in trouble, she's the girl he thinks of to help him and she understands his situation.

They marry for convenience, all cards on the table. But won't they try to be more than just friends or polite espouses?

 

I enjoyed this book. I liked the way Nev and Penelope met and dealt with Nev's request, I liked seeing their attempts in making a positive thing out of a marriage of convenience and even how they tried to take their tasks and duties seriously.

There are some sub plots that are important to the story's development but I wasn't as amazed by those. I liked the emotional aspects of all details concerning the couple's relationship.

What I really would have liked to see more of was their passion and connection. Sure, we see them together, we know what they feel, they share their feelings once in a while but I still think some things were too subtle, and I'd love to see them think and act more in love. The sub plots can be distracting and I think they also focused attentions on other things.

 

The romance is an interesting detail. Usually couples moon over each other or just give in to exaggerated sex escapades. I liked there was a slow, balanced start to this couple's relationship but as their lives together kept on giving them challenges to overcome and their feelings got more intense, I would have liked to see more of that. In their POVs, they would think about the other, what he/she would be feeling, how much they meant for each other, they did have intimate moments, but it was too subtle, too polite... I wanted a bit more passion. I think the angst scenes or angst-related were amazing and powerful and I felt for them in their insecurities and fears, not only to each other but because of secondary issues. But the love should have been more obvious. 

 

The sub plots were well thought, detailed. The problems with the estate where Nev and Penny are going to live after they marry are interesting. Nev has worries and tasks to perform, he has to assure the life and conditions of his tenants and there is a lot of talk about this subject, a villain in the middle of everything and hidden intentions I think the author developed well, even if I wasn't always as interested in that as I was in the romance.

 

I liked seeing Nev changing to become someone reliable, someone his family could count on and I felt for him when he couldn't make things better just by his will. It was interesting to read about a hero not all powerful and with personal and emotional doubts, just like any human being.

Penelope is a good heroine, she thinks she's not special but has a practical side I really liked. I wish she could have had the power to see through the bad intentioned characters but well, that's wishful thinking, not a flaw in her character.

Nev and Penny end up being a good couple, they accept the other, even the issues each one brings to the marriage... some details like Nev's ex-mistress and Penny's ex-beloved could have been better used to highlight their relationship and love and somehow I think the author didn't go as far as she could in terms of angst and emotion, even maintaining the perfectly good atmosphere the story had.

 

In the end, this was a good book, an interestingly good story and I do plan on reading other things by the author in the future.

This was her debut and quite well thought and executed, despite the things I, personally, liked less.

Grade: 7/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Gail Carriger - Prudence

When Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama (Rue to her friends) is given an unexpected dirigible, she does what any sensible female would under similar circumstances - names it the Spotted Crumpet and floats to India in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea.
But India has more than just tea on offer. Rue stumbles upon a plot involving local dissidents, a kidnapped brigadier's wife, and some awfully familiar Scottish werewolves. Faced with a dire crisis and an embarrassing lack of bloomers, what else is a young lady of good breeding to do but turn metanatural and find out everyone's secrets, even thousand-year-old fuzzy ones?  

Comment: Here's another book chosen for the alphabet challenge, this made a perfectly good P title.

I was also very curious about this story because I've loved the series that originated the appearance of this book/new series. The Parasol Protectorate was amazing, engaging, full of surprises and a style I really loved going through. I was so eager to have the same again with this story, featuring the child of the other series' main couple.

 

In this book, we meet Prudence, the daughter Alexia and Conall from the Parasol Protectorate had and that originated some twists in their series. Prudence is now a 20 year old woman always causing mischief and surrounded by her friends, decides to embark on a journey about tea, something very important to her and her second father, Lord Akeldama.

However, the journey isn't without some problems, meeting new people and challenges and even things Prudence couldn't anticipate.

But traveling to India isn't abut only Lord Akeldama's business...can Prudence do something to avoid scandals, international conflicts and the loss of precious tea?

 

Two things I need to say right away:

a) this is not like the series I loved so much and;

b) Prudence and her friends aren't as captivating as I hoped they would.

I was so happy to be reading a book where I really wanted to see the beloved characters that made me read non stop the other series, that it was with surprise I realized this cast wasn't like the other and I wasn't having fun...

 

The problem with expectations is that, when they aren't met, the reader always feels like it was misdirected or wronged somehow. I don't feel cheated but I admit I put a lot of hope in this simply because I truly enjoyed and loved the other series.

I also know each book should be praised or disliked on its own worth and not by comparing it to others, but in this case it was difficult not to.

I can't say I didn't have a slight inkling of doubt because I've read a book in another series, and that book wasn't the marvel I thought it would be, so this one was highly anticipated but not at 100% level, even more so because of the YA reference...

 

At this point, matching too many expectations, a missed hit with a similar book and not as great reviews out there, I got apprehensive but still wanted to see if all that was just noise. For me, it ended up being the disappointment I dreaded anyway.

 

My biggest problem is that I felt this book, or the actions the characters were taking and even everything surrounding their choices, conversations, etc, missed the amazingly perfect subtlety of emotion that the first series had and which I loved. I couldn't find much in this book that reminded me of how things used to be and how much I enjoyed reading about them. It's almost as if these characters, by being obviously different from the others, thus having different personalities, couldn't bother to care about things, as if their emotional answers didn't have to exist.

It just felt weird to read about characters that didn't bother to act in a way I thought it would suit them. I missed the emotional level I thought this would have.

 

The secondary characters - which I confess was part of why I wanted to read this - didn't strike me as engaging as that. I liked seeing some beloved characters and some interactions that surely will have repercussions and that will affect certain things and I'm very curious to read about that but to think I have to suffer through so many pointless passages to get to the good stuff...

 

Prudence and her circle of friends didn't leave a mark on me. I'm not very fond of them, they seemed very shallow and predictable and their actions revealed immaturity and a lack of concern for things...pretty much a sort of YA attitude I really can't stand for. Prudence is the key character, of course much of what happens goes through her but although I didn't despise her, I feel she isn't the type of person I want to read more about. I think this would be better if the focus was still on her parents.

 

I struggled a bit to finish the book. Many passages didn't have any appeal to me and the way things ended was almost exaggerated. This wouldn't be such a problem if more than half the book weren't silly and without real meaning, in my perspective. I totally respect the author's style, in fact it was that particular trademark that made me want to read her books, but in this book it's too much, things got a certain mocking tone that didn't have the emotional side to balance it like I thought it should.

 

All in all, I can't say I hated this but it certainly wasn't something I'll cherish. I might read the next book but it stopped being a priority and I'll certainly not spend too much on it and will wait for a cheaper paperback edition.

Grade: 5/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Samantha Young - Echoes of Scotland Street

Shannon MacLeod has always gone for the wrong type of man. After she drifted from one toxic relationship to the next, her last boyfriend gave her a wakeup call in the worst possible way. With her world shattered, she’s sworn off men—especially those of the bad-boy variety.
Cole Walker is exactly the sort that Shannon wants to avoid—gorgeous, tattooed, charming, and cocky. But his rough exterior hides a good man who’s ready to find “the one.” He’s determined to pull Shannon from her self-imposed solitude and win her heart.
As Shannon opens up in the face of Cole’s steady devotion, the passion between them ignites to blazing levels. But when Shannon’s past comes back to haunt her, her fears may destroy the trust Cole has built between them—and tear them apart for good…  

Comment: I've been a fan of this author's Dublin Street series since the first book. I think she has the perfect blend of contemporary realistic story and sweet romance. I was very curious about this next installment and thankfully I liked it too.

This title was also handy for the Alphabet Soup Challenge for the letter E.

 

This is Shannon and Cole's story. They met as teenagers one night and were captivated by the other but a few minutes after their talk they go different ways and only meet again when Shannon applies to a receptionist job in the tattoo shop where Cole works.

However, life has taught certain rules about men to Shannon and she feels guys like Cole, with the looks and the tattoos are all the same, meaning bad for her. Although they feel attracted to each other, miscommunications start to put the apart until Shannon realizes she might have done a mistake. But is she the only one who needs to apologize?

 

Again, I had a great time reading a story by this author. I think she does have talent to pick a simple story and to make it develop in a way and style I really appreciate. I understand how some readers might not share this opinion, but for me it did work well.

 

The plot was quite interesting and I liked seeing everyone show up. It's always such a pleasure to see characters I like returning even if not for long, but it helps the romantic in me too see how their HEAs did work. The plot is quite simple but the characters make it come alive and be special. I liked the details about their work because this allow us to see them in more scenarios than just the romance or attraction situations.

 

What really makes the story is the main couple, in particular Shannon. I've read how some readers don't like her much but the way I saw it, she was very close to what a likable heroine should be like. Shannon has had bad luck with guys and I kind of wish she could have learned her lesson sooner, but her 4 or 5 ex boyfriends didn't have as much impact in my appreciation of her personality as I could have imagined. In fact, I was impressed by her attitude, her quitter side and her desire to pay her bills, to just have a job and start settling in life. Her past makes her that way but I was glad to see how pleasant she was as a character.

Her attraction to Cole is mutual and they have some scenes where they battle sexual tension and even Shannon's fears but somehow the fact they didn't jump into sex right away won me over.

 

The majority of the story was something I liked. Towards the end something happens that increases the conflict and adds up to the drama - which, in turn, makes the HEA look better - but I wasn't convinced by how it happened. Let's just say Cole, who is a wonderful character by the way, a sweet guy and someone others kept telling Shannon wasn't as bad as she thought, reacts rather harshly to a certain conversation in a way I found exaggerated and unnecessary. I don't mind the conflict, it is a different way for us to see them act and react, but I thought is was so against what we have been told about him as person...I really think his reaction was over the top. I won't spoiler but he knows Shannon pretty well at that point so...not clear why he did that unless it suits the drama appeal.

 

Following Cole's reaction, some other characters that were Cole's friends before being Shannon's also reacted rather strongly to the problem and while not as exaggerated, it was still noticeable to make me think it was wrong. What about not judging others?

Apart from this short incident (it does get solved fast in terms of plot and in a rather exaggerated way if I may say so), the story ran smoothly and was hard to put it down. I managed to read it in one day.

 

I know there's one more story and I just hope it's as good as the ones I've read. It will be interesting to see Shannon and Cole as an established couple then, as well.

Grade: 8/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Teresa Medeiros - One Night of Scandal

Proper decorum has never come easily to Carlotta Anne Fairleigh--not even tonight, when the lovely, impetuous miss is finally making her debut. As she waits to make her entrance, she can't help wondering about the darkened house next door, the supposedly abandoned home of Hayden St. Clair, the man society has dubbed the "Murderous Marquess." Certainly one small peek through his window before the festivities would be harmless . . .
And, naturally, this latest "adventure" ends in disaster, thoroughly compromising the budding debutante's reputation and leaving her suddenly, unthinkably . . . betrothed! Soon she's en route to the wilds of Cornwall in the company of the handsome, mysterious marquess whose name the "ton" whisper with fear and loathing.
Yet there is something thrilling--and surprisingly tender--about her dark, unreachable groom, and the desire in his eyes is undeniable. But before Lottie will surrender to the yearnings in her heart, she must unlock the secrets of Hayden's past, no matter how scandalous--or perilous--they may be.  

Comment: Here's another book featured in my alphabet soup challenge. I picked this title for the letter O not only because it was something I had but also because it suited the fact I read the first story last month.

This book is the second installment of a trilogy and focuses on the sister of the protagonist of the previous book.

 

We first met Carlotta Anne Farleigh, Lottie, when she was a child in the previous book and now it's her turn to have a story. She is about to make her debut but can't resist going to the mysterious neighbor's house precisely on that night.

Hayden St Clair has a reputation of having murdered his wife. He only wants peace and finish his business deals and leave. Mistaking Lottie for someone else, Hayden ends up in a compromising situation with her. They marry in haste and suddenly Lottie has brand new challenges to overcome in her married life...

 

I liked this story overall and to be honest I had an easy time reading it. But I can't say this is the most amazing historical romance ever.

The plot follows Lottie in her new life and everything that entails. She has to learn to do many things and deal with situation she never saw coming. I liked her personality but there were some scenes where I thought her attitude to be slightly childish. But overall, we do see how much she evolves.

Hayden is someone with secrets, things he's ashamed of in his past and a huge need to make things right. He just doesn't know how to act in a way where others can understand that.

I liked how the author dealt with the main character's issues and how they had to reach a compromise.

What I think wasn't as successfully done was their romance.

 

The romance seemed lacking in my opinion. The way they meet was supposed to be funny in a way, but I didn't laugh. I have a problem with books that aren't classified as comedies but have that tone in certain parts. I'm not very certain of how to interpret things and most times what happens is I don't find it funny at all. With this couple, from their meeting , their marriage and living together, nothing seemed quite balanced or justified. It seemed disjointed in a way and I was never convinced of their bond. Even in the intimacy scenes - not that many which was good - it looked like they weren't deeply into each other, it seemed staged or described in a way I saw as shallow. I don't know, it just didn't feel right all the time.

 

There are some conflicts to solve and despite the HEA in the end, some things seemed a little bit out of context. Just my impression, though. The author's writing and presenting of some situations seemed ok, others not so much. I guess the story isn't completely balanced from beginning to end.

 

The end also seemed slightly off. I understand the small paranormal detail and why it was used but the way it helped to create the final scenes ruined it a bit. Instead of being something mysterious but only left up in the air, suggestive, it became a bit real and brought the story from alluring to clichéd and sincerely I don't think that would have been necessary. Maybe it's the result of times but I think the author didn't have to use that as a tool to finish the story.

 

All in all, this was slightly above average but doesn't have all the necessary details to make me more convinced about it nor was I as dazzled by it as I thought.

I have higher hopes for the third installment, the characters seem more likable for me and many readers praise it. Let's hope it's better done than the first two stories.

Grade: 7/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: AM Riley - Quod Tam Sitio

George is an Anglican priest who loves music and the church. His life is very fulfilling; now if only he could find someone to share it with. However, options are limited for a gay priest, as he can't exactly go trolling through the clubs.
Fate steps in when the lovely Dominick is drawn to the church by the lovely sounds of the gay men's choir singing. George is their director and he is delighted to find out that the beautiful Dominick has a stunning voice. George immediately falls for the young man, but Dominick has a secret that may destroy them both.  

Comment: I picked this book from my pile of unread LGBT eBooks because it has a handy Q title and that would work well in my Alphabet Soup challenge...but...

I'm not going to use up much space to talk about this book. I really disliked it.

I'll just tell what this is about and present the reasons why I didn't like it.

 

The book is a serious miss for me. Again, I had the notion this could have been better but the execution and, to be honest, the whole idea just didn't seemed good enough for me. Of course this must have worked and will work for others.

 

This is George's story, he's an Anglican priest who is gay, has gay friends and is the priest in a church that welcomes gay people and even has a choir of gay singers.

So far, not a problem in sight.

George, however, is incredibly attracted to a stranger that sits outside every night there's choir practice. After some awkward moments in different occasions, George finally meets the guy, Dominic.

Dominic is actually a vampire. He has other vampires to take care of and answers to an older vampire who created him, his master. Dominic knows and accepts he's a monster but he still feels attracted to George, his innocence and the music played at the church.

Things get complicated when the other vampires realize Dominic has an interest in George.

 

It was really hard to appreciate this story. I didn't like it, didn't enjoy reading it and disliked immensely the characters. I kept reading in hopes something good could happen rationally and because it was short enough to not bother me for too long.

I'll put in topics the reasons why I didn't like it:

- The story never felt solid or structured enough to make me understand things even if I didn't like the characters.

- The characters were all basic and acted in a way I found stupid, cliché and without any valuable reason.

- Most information was given in a very basic and little explanatory about why things worked that way or why some characters seemed more crazy than others, there wasn't a straight line in the way things happened that could be used as reference to explain things.

- The vampires here are bad, they kill people and they don't feel remorse. I couldn't empathize with any of them, including Dominic.

- Dominic is an old vampire but the relationship Master- Made Vampire is weird, too unbalanced and shows Dominic as someone weak and dependent on a sadistic person that manipulates him. I didn't find any quality in Dominic that made me eager to see him happy.

- George is a very radical priest, he has hidden desires, sure, his thing, but his actions aren't always determined and he acts insecure a lot of time, so I never warmed up to him.

- The relationship between George and Dominic felt flat and unappealing to read about.

- The whole story was boring for me and there wasn't anything that could make me think this was positive or interesting. I can understand why some could have liked it, but for me it did not work at all.

- Any interesting points of discussion about the character's choices, thoughts, actions weren't explained well. Everything felt basic and unexplored properly.

 

All things considered, this sounded very weak to me. I applaud the author's imagination and certain effort to produce the story, but author's dedication aside, this didn't work for me and nor do I think it's that representative of her value.

Completely forgettable and easily dismissed in my opinion. Of course others might love it...

Grade: 2/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Beth Williamson - Zeke

Intense, reserved and known for his strategic thinking, Zeke Blackwood has struggled to find his place in the post-war world. After the violent death of the first woman to capture his heart, Zeke retreats into a whisky bottleuntil hes handed the position of town sheriff. Zeke sobers up and tries his damnedest to be the best lawman he can be. He hadnt counted on the tempting new saloon girl to jeopardize his cold, unhappy existence. Naomi Tucker is a survivor, a woman who made it through the war on her own wit and strength. She hoped moving to Tanger, Texas would bring her the peace and stability she yearns to find. Instead she runs head-on into a cool-eyed sheriff who welcomes her to his bed, only to push her away. The wildness of the West is far from tamed. It threatens the towns efforts to rebuild, Zekes bond with the Devilsand his fragile relationship with Naomi. As Zekes hold on sobriety slips, he and Naomi must choose between settling for half a life apart, or embracing all they could be. Together.

Comment: This is the third installment of the Devils in Horseback series by Beth Williamson. I thought it was a great title for Z in the Alphabet Soup Challenge, although in terms of content I was very apprehensive because the previous two books were incredible failures in my opinion. I think part of me only kept going because I didn't want to lose the handy title... :D

 

This is Zeke's story. He's a character that has suffered a tough blow in the previous book when the woman he was falling in love with was killed in front of him. This book starts with him battling being a drunk and accepting the position of sheriff. People are starting to trust him so Zeke has to prove being worthy. He didn't count on Naomi Tucker, a woman new in town that reminds him of the woman he was falling for.

Naomi arrived at the city with nothing and only wants a job and a meal. She starts working at the saloon but makes it clear she won't work at her back. Zeke seems fascinating but there's also a side of him Naomi doesn't know if can be trusted...

 

Ok, to be honest I have to say that yes, this book is slightly better than the others. It seems more consistent, more interesting and much better planned and executed. Does this make it good? Not really, but if you compare with it something bad, obviously it has to be better.

Although it's easier to follow in terms of plot and it's more approachable in terms of development, I still think the major problems the other books had keep on going in this one.

 

I think it's incredibly annoying how quick the main characters have sex. This isn't a story sexy enough to be erotica, honestly. So, considering it's an historical and there are society rules that simply didn't occur as easily as they could today, I think it's annoying to see two characters meet and from not wanting to be close to the other because they are attractive and dangerous, romantically speaking, to have sex without any care after a single kiss is a bit too much.

I mean, what kind of message, what relationship can happen from here? Sure the author did it, but for me it didn't sound believable or romantic.

 

The development of the story is pretty basic. I don't mean to say the author isn't good, of course we can see the efforts done and I did read her before and some other books by her are so amazing... it's a mystery to me how books written by the same person can feel so different, but the truth is, the series in which this story belongs, just isn't good, period.

 

The plot revolves much around easy happenings concerning the town an a man who owns the hotel that might be shadier than he looks. I'm ok with simple plots. Comparing to the previous book where everything felt exaggerated, this actually read easier. But there's something missing. I don't think the connection between plot and characters runs smoothly, so everything feels kind of boring.

 

The main characters don't seem intriguing to me. Zeke, in particular showed signs of being weak when it came to drinking. I don't think the book is written as well as it could when it was about that. Drinking is a serious issue and people do lapse, but the whole tone and content of the book made it sound trivial and Zeke not doing things like a hero "should" also made it look worse. I just think it wasn't very emotionally appealing or well presented.

Naomi seemed more interesting yes, but she could have been better developed, her personality could be more polished. I do think it would suit the story better.

 

All in all, the same bad, uncaring behavior towards sex ruined the story. Such a big deal at those times treated here with redundancy and recklessness...I just don't feel it's the right way to write about it. The plot was minimal, but since most characters didn't show any amazing feature...it's all very bland. This books reads better but still weak. it almost didn't make to a positive note...

I don't think I'll continue.. there are two books left.. maybe one day but not so soon...

Grade: 5/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Sarah Addison Allen - Lost Lake

It happens one morning - Kate finally wakes up from the slumber she's been in since her husband's death a year ago. Feeling a fresh sense of desire to take control of her and her young daughter's life, she decides to visit Suley, Georgia - home to Lost Lake. It's where Kate spent one of the happiest summers of her life as a child. She's not sure what she expects to find there, but it's not a rundown place full of ghosts and other curious oddities. Kate's Aunt Eby, Lost Lake's owner, wants to sell the old place and move on. Lost Lake's magic is gone. As Kate discovers that time has a way of standing still at Lost Lake, can she bring the cottages - as well as her heart and the hearts of all the guests - back to life? Because sometimes lost loves aren't really lost. They're just waiting for you to find them again.

Comment: This is one of the books I picked for the alphabet soup challenge. It's the letter L and I chose it because it was written by an author I know whose work would be something I'd appreciate. Although some of her books felt weaker to me than others, I still think of her stories as little jewels to be appreciated.

 

This is the story of Kate and her daughter Devin and how they are changing their lives one year after the loss of Matt, Kate's husband.

Kate feels her mourning has changed and now she can see clearly again. After finding an old postcard from her aunt Eby, Kate takes Devin for a vacation but what she finds is a group of people with dreams, with things to deal with, memories and her aunt's desire to sell Lost Lake, the piece of land where her business is.

Through the lives of most characters we uncover an old story that kept going until now and that needs to be told so everyone has a chance at forgiveness and peace...

 

I liked this story. I think the author does a good job in creating special characters and giving them a sort of aura that makes them unique. Her books are labeled magical realism because she writes contemporary settings but there's always some magical element that can't be fully explained, although if we look at some things through a metaphoric explanation, it wouldn't be so hard.

Anyway, all her books present us special people that have secrets, little details that turn them into people who have touching, special lives.

 

In this book that magic can be seen mostly in Selma, a character that has charms to catch a man she wants. The charm has rules but in this idea we see how believing in something can motivate you enough to do things. Some details are difficult to believe in, but that's part of the appeal too.

Kate's daughter also has the sight of a child, so her take on everything is seen as magical in some aspects. The main subject of the book is found because Devin helps finding it. The explanation for some things seems too unlikely but it's there so it's up to the reader to follow the explanations and believe...or not. The magical realism can be explained like that, the idea is there but the way we see it can turn it into something believable or just randomly whimsical.

 

The best part about the story is the characters. The narrative is in the third person but we have the POV of several characters and we can know many aspects of their lives and personality. Of course this helps us to bond, to relate to this or that person. I like knowing the characters, why they behave the way they do, why they are like that. I think the author has a lot of imagination but she always writes politely and polished. It almost feels she takes care with everything she says and not only because she has a good editor.

 

Romance per se we don' actually have here, but we have scenes that give that impression. This story is more about the redemption and the promise of the future. We learn a lot and we hope a lot when it comes to the character's HEA.

 

All in all, the story is good, full of special and unique elements. I think it's slightly weaker than some of the other books by her, mainly because there isn't any central focus on anyone or anything and it's more complicated to expect closure or a decisive conclusion when it is so. I also felt a bit loss at times because some scenes weren't as engaging or fascinating.

Still, I consider this a good story, perfect for one to get lost in.

Grade: 7/10

Alphabet Soup Challenge: Patricia Gaffney - Thief of Hearts

Though he is not her late husband's twin brother, John Brodie is far from the perfect gentleman and sheltered Anna Jourdaine would burn with shame. No lady would allow the outrageous liberties Brodie took, but forced to pretend she was married to him to clear Nick's good name, Anna finds herself weakening to her brother-in-law's seductive appeal. Caught up in deceits and desires beyond her control, she knows only that her future happiness depends on learning which brother is an immoral criminal and which is merely a thief of hearts.

Comment: This book has been in the pile for a couple of years and once in a while I randomly think about the amount of back lists by several authors I have to read and tell myself I need to get to them. This month I looked at ms Gaffney's list and thought this title would suit perfectly the T entry for the Soup challenge.

In this story we meet Anna Jourdaine, she's a newlywed whose husband is murdered soon after their marriage and when they were going to leave to their honeymoon. After a busy time she learns her beloved husband might be guilty of a crime concerning her family's business and she sees herself involved in a mad scheme to prove her husband's guilt - or innocence.

In order for this to happen, her husband's unknown twin brother is rescued from prison to take his place and play the part until more conspirators are found. 

The brother, John is just like Nick, her husband, but they are also totally different. With time, Anna starts seeing John for who he really is and he is also an innocent man. Could their scheme ever turn them into a real couple?

In general, I liked this story and felt curious about what would happen. I think a couple of plot situations were exaggerated without any real purpose I could see except bring out more (unnecessary) drama, but overall it was a good enough historical romance story.

I liked the idea of this story. Twins are a handy way to solve a character's proximity to another person for some reason and in a way that society won't find out. In this book's case, Anna's husband is replaced for his twin but with the premise the twin, John, will go back to prison after his part is completed. One would ask why bother, but I think any prisoner would like to savor freedom again and even contemplate escape. This wasn't a perfect scheme but considering the time and the lack of identity validities we have nowadays, it was done reasonably well.

I liked John. He had a love for life that wasn't mad or reckless and he hid a morally acceptable personality I liked knowing about, and how under his cockiness and sometimes vulgar behavior he had a good heart. He was a very interesting character who, in my opinion, didn't have all the focus I think he deserved.

Anna was more classically presented and she wanted a loving marriage. I understand her reaction when things went wrong and after her husband died. It certainly couldn't be easy to accept someone just because of a physical likeness.

Their relationship started rocky and mutually suspicious but small things and the need to uncover the truth led them to learn things about one another and to keep the pretense to find out who Nick really was. With time they started to fall in love although things were never easy or simple because there were always things to know, to solve, new findings...

The romance was OK, I guess. It wasn't as magical as some love stories I've read but it was entertaining enough to make me happy when the couple finally got their HEA.

As for the plot, a couple of things made this a bit exaggerated and I think sometimes the need to put drama in evidence to, perhaps, get a heavier reaction from the reader is a bit too much and in this book I felt that. Maybe it's just me.

All in all, I was glad enough with this story. I think the evolution of the two main characters was the focus of this story and that was good enough. I liked there was forgiveness and second chances enough to make this uplifting.

I don't think this is one of those books that stays in our memory like an epic romance but it did offer what it could and did its job.

Grade: 7/10