Smooth Talking Stranger (and First Person Narratives)

Novel - Smooth Talking Stranger
Author - Lisa Kleypas
ISBN-13: 9780312351663

I will begin by saying that I am not the greatest fan of contemporaries. And, while I did not think this novel was one of Ms. Kleypas' best works, I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to her next Travis novel. For now what I wanted to focus on was her use of the first person narrative. Admittedly, I have read fewer first person narratives than contemporaries and I must say that she is due some props for using this voice!

This book was the 3rd installment of the Travis family series. All of the books from this series have been written in the 1st person. I am not sure if Ms. Kleypas chose this view point because this is a contemporary novel or if it was just a challenge. Regardless, I found this view point to be appropriate to the period. So while this writing perspective was slightly jarring at first, I had little trouble understanding our hero's intention and felt the impact of Jack's emotions without actually having his perspective. For this reason alone, I commend her writing in this view point. I can imagine that writing in the first person one has to give more thought to the conveyance of feeling by showing through the first person view point while ensuring that they do not over-tell what the other person feels.

Yet, I never felt the book get too descriptive. There were times, however, when I wanted the story to be more evocative. Writing in the first person can be extremely powerful for the reader who has no buffer between herself and the character. I wanted my heart strings pulled a little bit more. I am Ella when I am reading in the first person - so why don't I have Ella's raw emotions? There should be times of cutting emotion - and it should not be muted. We should be drawn to laugh, cry and feel as our heroine did… nonetheless I never developed that connection.

Maybe the reason I found this tense distracting was because there was no alternative perspective. In most other romance novels I am familiar with, the reader has both the male and female perspective. Having both perspectives affords the reader insight into the thoughts of both characters and not just the female's. In 'Smooth Talking Stranger' we know that Jack Travis is in love with Ella because of what he says to the heroine, what others say about him to our heroine, and through his actions as told to us from Ella's vantage point. However, we don't get to be in his head as I am accustomed to do when we have multiple view points as in the other Regency novels that Lisa Kleypas has written. Of course, this makes the book a little one-sided…which is, after all, the point of writing in the first person.

Overall, I have enjoyed all of the Travis books. So while my jury is out still on the first person, I will certainly read the next installment. As I said, these books are not like her Regency novels. Nevertheless, they are entertaining (and quick) reads. If you like Lisa Kleypas, or the first person narratives, you should pick them up.

Happy Reading!
Finding Alpha

The Earl Claims His Wife - How about Claiming an Editor?

I have been trying to post weekly, but it’s been a while since I have been able. My first job called and I had to answer! I did manage to keep reading romance during this time though; it seems to be one of the only things that can mellow me out after a long day...


Novel - The Earl Claims His Wife
Author - Cathy Maxwell
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-135099-3

This book started out horribly. Interestingly enough it wasn't the plot that was horrible, but the writing. No one should be allowed to write and have published: "the fire that had burned between them quickly caught fire." Even if the fire had burned in the past, how does a fire catch fire? That question pretty much sums up how the book went for me – I will admit that there were some moments when I really enjoyed reading it. I wanted the Earl to claim his wife, and he does “claim” her in an interesting manner…riding in on a horse and such. But there was so much describing and telling instead of showing that I was bored in most places. I kept thinking that Ms. Maxwell was being lazy with her writing. Her laziness angered me because I usually like how she writes. In truth, I was more angered by the fact that I spent $7.99 on it! I wanted better quality writing from her. I expected it and was disappointed.

The story had me thinking that Ms. Maxwell had to be pressed for time, or maybe she had writer's block. For instance, in one scene, Ms. Maxwell explains, "Alice, the shyer of sisters, nodded." That’s it. The reader hadn't met Alice before this moment, so of course we need to know that she is shy in order to envision her response. But Ms. Maxwell doesn't tell us how she nodded. She only tells us that she is shy leaving us to imagine how she would have reacted. Nothing in the statement tells us how she responded. So why not something along the lines of 'Alice nodded uncomfortably. She had always been the shyer of the two girls'? Maybe my way phrasing isn't better writing, and certainly more verbose, but at least the reader isn’t left hanging imagining how she Alice would have nodded.

Sadly, the only part that I found redeeming was the end – in part because it was the end, but mostly because it was touching. The characters, of course, reveal their love for one another. Thank God! The Earl was a real dunder-head and all his character seemed to talk about was the fact that his wife didn't trust him. When, in fact, it seemed he was just as untrusting! There was a lot of misunderstanding when they probably could have just talked it out. Annoying.

In sum, this book is not one of her better efforts. Read it if you like. And, if you like I would be willing to sell it to you and then I can recoup a portion of my costs…

Happy Reading,
FindingAlpha

The Scandals of an Innocent

Novel - The Scandals of an Innocent
Author - Nicola Cornick
ISBN-13: 9780373773893




In reading Nicola Cornick’s ‘The Scandals of an Innocent’, I found this book kind of slow going. Regardless, I enjoyed it. This is the 2nd in a three book series, but the first that I have read by Ms. Cornick. I found her to be an intriguing voice (most of the time) and am interested in reading more…Mostly, I like the newness of the plot, characters and the rich banter between hero and heroine.

Alice Lister, our heroine, has come into quite a bit of money and must find a man or else lose have her fortune to taxation! Enter Miles, Lord Vickery. He is a rake and a fortune hunter. What makes him worse than most is that he actually wooed Alice once before only to abandon her to test his wiles on a more wealthy heiress.

Miles may be as indebted as they come, but he makes no qualms about being a gold-digger. Alice desires him and he lusts after her because of her beauty. These two have a cat and mouse relationship. In general, he takes a personal affront to most things that she does and is dragging her off to another room and ravishing her. There are several of these types of scenes until the ultimate ravishing takes place. For some reason (my cave-woman instincts, maybe) I enjoy reading about dragging and the ravishing, so these parts were a solid read.

The overarching plot arch is that Miles enters a pact with Alice that he will tell the truth in all things. He must do so in order for him to prove that he is worthy to be married to her. This pact comes crashing to a head when Miles hands her over to the Law in the name of truth, and she is taken away in shackles! Like any half-intelligent woman, Alice questions why he didn’t protect her instead of telling the truth. His reason for telling the truth is that she would not respect him if he had not told the truth. Ultimately, she agrees and forgives him – even after she spent a night in jail.

Thus my issue: In my mind it would have been more poetic if he had lied. What did these characters gain by telling the truth – nothing! She spent the night in prison and is humiliated – all because he felt the need to come clean. Maybe it is my quixotic tendencies but I tend to be a believer that truth is not so easily discerned!

Of course, I understand why the author chose to write his redemption this way, but it begged the question: Why do our characters – and it’s usually our male characters – have to be redeemed for us to have closure? Why can’t they stay true to their nature in the beginning? Isn’t it the darkness and imperfections of their character the reasons that we are drawn to them in the first place? Would it have made that much of a difference had he lied, especially if it was in the name of protecting her? Thoughts?

So while the book slumbered along in places, I kept on reading. As such, I will most likely go back to the first book and see if she delivers just as, if not more successfully, than this one. Either way, I will surely let you know when I do…

Happy Reading!
FindingAlpha

PS – I forgot to mention that there was also this unnecessary intrigue at the end in which our heroine is kidnapped. It really had no business being there, and I continue to question the inclusion of tedious plot twists that add nothing in bringing our characters together. They were already together. Just end it already.

Don't Tempt Me

Novel - Don't Tempt Me
Author - Loretta Chase
ISBN-13: 9780061632662

I enjoyed Loretta Chase’s 'Don’t Tempt Me'. I found the novel to be both entertaining and witty. Delightful really.

But with all things positive, I tend to dwell on the negative...

So while I enjoyed reading this book, I don’t think that I care to read it again. Wanting to read a book again, and again, and again (which I do) is the hallmark of a good romance novel in my opinion. To the book’s credit, I was intrigued by the whole escaping the harem plot line, Zoe Octavia’s innuendos and her knowledge of the sexual arts. Nevertheless, all that sexual intimation did not translate to steaminess on the page. If I remember correctly there were approximately two scenes that where our heroine enchants the hero with her sexual prowess, but then the author “pans to the window” and we are left with…nothing but curtain.

And that's it - The main reason why I will not pick up this book again is that I expected more from a female character who lived a concubine for twelve years, a woman who understands the power of her own sexuality, and who has ensnared an equally sexual male. I expected there would be sparks in the bedroom. Instead I was left cold.


In other romance novels, at times it is too unbelievable that the staid Regency woman would be a “cat” in the bedroom, but Zoe Octavia is a harem-girl. It would have been very believable and appropriate to have a little more steam, and maybe even a little more vulgarity - not kinky or Erotica, just more titillation. Zoe’s character seemed open to it, but maybe the author was not. While the Ms. Chase delivered a sound book, I expected more form the sultry harem-girl and her bedroom exploration and actualization with her ducal husband. In the end, it is this reason alone why I would read the book again.

All in all, I recommend this to romance readers (at least once) – lovely story, characterization and engaging plot. Just do not expect the harem-girl to reveal anything about the bedroom you don’t already know.

Happy Reading,
FindingAlpha

Bed Him Before the BSR Comes-a-Knocking!

Novel – Wed Him Before You Bed Him
Author – Sabrina Jeffries
ISBN-13: 9781416560821

As a reader of the Sabrina Jeffries 'School of Heiresses' series, I followed the blossoming relationship between Michael and Charlotte from the outset. And while I usually try not to over-anticipate a series' final novel, I heartily anticipated this story…

You don’t have to read much farther to see where this is going...

Of course, I was utterly disappointed!

Ms. Jefferies captured me from the start of the book, and through much of the first half, with interesting characters, palpable tension, and parrying dialogue. But as soon as the Bow Street Runner (BSR) shows up at Michael's door accusing him of murder (just after he has bedded the lovely Charlotte), I wanted to drown the book in the tub along with Michael's long dead wife...Ugh.

These characters had enough intrigue and mixed emotions driving them, and their story (unrequited love, poor and hasty judgment, revenge, etc.), without incorporating an external (and convoluted) plot line! There were so many peripheral characters - many of which we met in previous novels. I could have cared less about them. Their addition only meandered and added very little (if anything) to the plot.

Surely, Ms. Jeffries could have found another, less external, plot device to expose Cousin Michael's dastardly plan to humiliate Charlotte? Instead we get a Bow Street Runner with a grudge against the ton, a scheming brother-in-law with gambling debts, a ne'er do well footman, a profligate but-not-so profligate brother, a nasty real estate developer, and last, but not least, a loan shark from Spittalfields. YIKES. Yet, the only person to be accused of murder is our hero - now that's believable.

I had hoped that 'Bed Him' would be the worth the build-up from all the previous books. But, the lesson I learned (again), apart from being reminded that I hate unnecessary, external plot-lines, is that I should not hold my breath in expectation of the final series' book being anything greater than mediocre.

Happy Reading,
FindingAlpha

River Lady - Save Me I'm Drowning!

Novel – River Lady
Author – Jude Deveraux
ISBN-13: 9780671739782

My fellow blogger, Swampy, recommended Jude Deveraux' 'River Lady' to me. In fact she included it on her favorite list of romances. Swampy notes that while Deveraux' plot becomes convoluted towards the end she manages to be an entertaining read.

Boy was she right!

With a Cinderella/rags-to-riches story line, I started off the book with only happy thoughts. I was charmed by the heroine's ability to pull herself above her station after being dragged pregnant across a chapel floor only to be judged (wantingly) by her social and economic superiors. Our hero does not wish to be married to Leah for he is in love with a prettier, needier woman than our heroine. But, of course, he marries her and summarily leaves town for a year. When he returns Leah is now beautifully turned out and has warmed her way into his family's heart - no thanks to him. And, so they set off for his farmhouse in Kentucky to make a home. Somehow his former fiancé (who he still fancies himself in love with) tags along with them on their journey. Trials and tribulations, which would put out any frontier woman (besides our heroine, of course), ensue. Leah proves herself cunning and worthy while the other woman proves herself useless. Soon our hero begins to see the folly of not loving Leah.
All is well....
Great.
Wonderful.
Entertaining read.
Loved it...

Oh wait....I still have to finish the last 1/3 of the book! I judiciously trudge onward (Swampy's caveat echoing in my thoughts), but it's too late. I am lost in a mess of incoherent plot within pages of our author bringing the two leads together. The plot unfolds to include a bad guy, a nefarious older brother, two really big guys who don't talk, but who are really smart, and who later go off to have a threesome with each other (at least that is what I construed...ick). And then even later in the book the plot is made even more incoherent by the addition of another evil person who goes about besmirching our heroine's good name. This development is masterminded by some guy menacingly named "the Dancer" (what a stupid name for an evil dude if I ever read one) for reasons I still have yet to determine.

Of course, all's well that ends well with the ladies needing to be rescued because they were apparently too senseless not to put themselves in a situation where they might be killed. In the end, it is determined that our heroine really does need saving after all.

Long of the short: Should you read this book you really should stop right after our hero announces he is going to stay married our heroine (I enjoyed it up to this point). After that just put the book down. The final 1/3 of the book fails to make much sense, is completely contrived and utterly ridiculous!

Happy Reading,
FindingAlpha

With Seduction in Mind...at Some Point...in the Near Future

Novel – With Seduction in Mind
Author – Laura Lee Gurkhe
ISBN-13: 9780061456831

It took quite a while for me to get into this book, but I have to admit that there were several moments were I was captivated by the scenes between hero and heroine. As an aspiring writer, I sympathized with both characters. The moments where our hero described struggling with writing and the times when nothing came to him yet he continued to toil were very close to home. His troubles were my troubles, and they resonated with me.

Similarly, the heroine's ability to write page after page of drivel also resonated. I find that I am most adept at producing drivel! And similar to her, I can justify writing crap because at least I am writing something. In my mind, it was clear who these characters were and I never felt that these characters strayed from their intentions.

However, I was disappointed by how slowly the book built up tension. Let me correct that...there was tension from the outset for these characters, but not tension of the romantic sort. And once the romantic tension became apparent, it dragged. It seemed to me that Ms. Gurhke waxed on about the hardships of writing (or not writing) and I became bored. I found myself skipping paragraphs and sometimes scenes because the story failed to move forward. Once the heroine decided to "seduce" our hero with kisses, the story moved along at a nice pace, but getting to that rhythm was sometimes a bit too painful, too brooding, and definitely too much philosophizing about the trials and tribulations of the writing process. We (or at least I) got it already.

Take, for instance, that were teased by the hero's desire to kiss our heroine. In three separate instances the reader thinks she might get some respite and a little passion. But no, she must wait. Maybe this waiting was how the author tried to build conflict. Tension and conflict is often how authors raise the stakes for their characters. But when authors tease the readers with these tension filled scenes time and time again, but then don’t deliver to the reader’s heightened need for resolution, it is distracting. I kept expecting him to pull her into his arms and kiss her passionately…but he didn’t…Okay, I exaggerate…but when he did kiss her it was well past the time that I had given up hope that he would!

Long of the short, is that I found the pacing to be "off", but when we are finally wrapped into the seduction (the 2nd half of the book), the author corrects for her pacing nicely. This makes me wonder if Ms. Gurhke had her own “inspiration” for the latter part of the book...

Ultimately I enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend it.

Happy Reading,
FindingAlpha

The Romances I will Never Loan Out

FindingAlpha and I were discussing favorite books, and I thought a great way to think about my favorite RN's was in terms of rereading; how often, and do I still enjoy them after years and years. So here's my list of tried and true, in no particular order. Many of the novels are earlier works of established romance writers. This list will, of course, grow as time goes on. Hmmm, maybe our next blog topic should be, "Romance Novelists on the Rise"?

Slightly Dangerous, Mary Balogh (2004) -- The last book in the Slightly series, and still my favorite. This is basically Pride & Prejudice, Mary Balogh style, and I've probably read it five times! Wulfric, The Duke is at least superficially and Alpha male, but at heart, he's a sensitive family-man.
Thief of Dreams, Mary Balogh (1998) -- I think Balogh may have been transitioning out of the short-form Regency when she wrote ToD, but I have reread it many times and always enjoyed the inner conflict of the hero, his redemption, and the heroine's strength of will in dealing with her somewhat insane husband (who is actually the hero). I don't think Balogh's strength is the love scene, but she does create great inner conflict between the leads, which I always really enjoy.

Three Little Secrets, Liz Carlyle (2006) -- I love novels where the hero and heroine had been in love as teens and meet again and fall back in love, and this book really delivers on the whole star-crossed lovers thing. External conflict as youths, internal conflict as adults, and throw in a secret love child! I've enjoyed many of Carlyle's novels for the intensity of the heroes and the passionate fights, but this one is definitely at the top of my list for her.

Angel, Johanna Lindsey (1992) -- Johanna Lindsey was one of the first novelists I can remember reading, and she keeps writing, and writing. In general, though I'm not a big fan of westerns, I've always really enjoyed Lindsey's western novels, and "Angel" is my favorite. It's really funny and sweet, and includes what Lindsey does best, a "dump" scene i.e. the hero leaves the heroine in the dust. I think other romance readers agree, because the book is still in print and gets 35 out of 41 5-star ratings on Amazon.

Dreaming of You, Lisa Kleypas (1994) -- I loooove Lisa Kleypas, not only because she's a fellow Wellesley grad, but because she writes some of the sexiest, most passionate novels today. She has few duds, writing page-turner stories, and "Dreaming of You" is still one of my favorites. As often found in Kleypas novels, the hero is a self-made man, and the heroine is sort of a goody-two-shoes (but a spunky one). There's tons of angst and pent-up passion. Everything a good romance novel should be.

Something Wonderful, Judith McNaught (1991) -- Curse you, Judith McNaught! Why, oh why, did you give up on historicals?!? Hands down, McNaught's historical romances are some of the best I have read. Some of her contemporaries are pretty good, but there's just no comparison. I picked "Something Wonderful" sort of arbitrarily, since "Once and Always," "Almost Heaven," and "Until You" are all great. Even "Whitney My Love," if you can get past the rapiness and stalkerishness of the main character, is still a pretty great read. Sigh...I will forever mourn the loss of Judith's historical romance writing career.

Highland Velvet, Jude Deveraux (1991) -- Similarly to Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux has gotten away from writing historicals, which in my opinion, were her strongest novels. Highland Velvet is the third in the ridiculously titled Velvet series, and my favorite, due to the strength of the heroine, Bronwyn. There was a little political intrigue in the novel, but the internal conflict was as strong as the external conflict, which I always prefer. As frequently happens in Devereaux novels, the ending often involves some convoluted kidnapping, shoot-out, duel, but the character development and romance leading up to the ending is worth the last few pages of belief suspension.
River Lady, Jude Deveraux (1991) -- The set-up for this novel is really what makes this such a fun read, a classic Cinderella arc, but set in the frontier of Kentucky. See above for the warning about the convoluted endings that almost ruins Deveraux's novels. There are actually several more Deveraux historicals I have enjoyed rereading, "Wishes," "The Princess," "Kingdom of Dreams," being among her strongest.

The Viscount Who Love Me, Julia Quinn (2006) -- Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series is a truly excellent series. Quinn's writing, especially of dialogue is witty and hilarious. TVWLM is still my favorite in the series, followed closed by "The Duke and I," for its hilarious compromise scene, spunky heroine, and brooding, but lovable hero.

Much Ado About You, Eloisa James (2004) -- In reality, I've read and reread all of Eloisa's (yes, I call her by first name) novels too many times to count. Almost all of her novels are excellent for one reason or another -- she's just a remarkably gifted writer. I'm frightened that she will stop writing romances in favor of "more serious" work, but if I had to pick one book that I would take with me on a desert island for sheer enjoyment, these days it would be "Much Ado About You. " It's the first novel in the Sisters series. Lucius Felton is just a lovely hero (really more of a beta than an alpha in my opinion). It's a very romantic novel, that will make you sigh and sniffle a bit. A close second for the number of times I've reread it is, "Fool for Love."

This Heart of Mine, Susan Elizabeth Phillips (2002) -- I'm really not a big fan of contemporary romances. Alpha males just don't really fit into our modern expectations of male behavior, but for some reason, Phillips makes it work. Many of her leads are football players and they can seem to pull-off the macho stuff believably. My favorite SEP novel is "This Heart of Mine," but the whole Chicago Stars series is really good reading. I think this author is sort of taking off now because I've noticed a lot of her stuff is being reprinted.

An Affair to Remember, Karen Hawkins (2002) -- Karen Hawkins really wowed me with some of her earlier books, most notably "An Affair to Remember," and its prequel, "The Seduction of Sara," (terrible title!). I have to admit, I've been disappointed with some of her more recent books. What makes AAtR rereadable to me is the strength and unconventionality of the heroine (she's a proponent of women's lib and birth control), and of her refusal to be the hero's mistress. The hero, of course, can't marry her because he's trying to improve the family name, so he's looking for a respectable wife, not a "bluestocking."

Dangerous to Love, Rexanne Becnel (1997) -- Becnel has sadly disappeared from bookshelves, but she wrote several really terrific historicals, most notably, "Dangerous to Love," and "The Bridemaker." I'm a sucker for the half-gypsy Lord heroes, and Becnel's hero in DtL is a true Alpha. Becnel seems to be a Harlequin Next writer, whatever that is, but I really hope she comes back to writing historicals.

A Kiss to Remember, Teresa Medeiros (2002) -- I'm not a huge fan of Medeiros, finding her books too hit and miss, but I really enjoyed AKtR. Despite having an amnesia story-line (which I loathe), the book is driven by heaps of internal conflict, and has a solid secondary romance I really enjoyed.

To Pleasure a Prince, Sabrina Jeffries (2005) -- In general, the Prince series is excellent, but out of the three, TPaP was my favorite. The hero is totally an alpha, but the conflict comes not from his idiocy, but from a personal problem of the heroine's, which had nothing to do with past transgressions or terrible secrets. I won't give away the source of the conflict, but it was certainly original.

The Saint, Madeline Hunter (2003) -- Except for the dreadfully depressing, "The Romantic," almost all of the books in the "Dueling Society" series were excellent. Because I'm picking favorites, "The Saint" is on this list. Hunter's books are not easy reads; they tend to be a bit on the heavy side, a bit complex and depressing. I feel like "The Saint" is one of her more uplifting reads, and despite the sound of it, I'm actually a big fan.

Did Something Happen in London?

Novel – What Happens in London
Author – Julia Quinn
ISBN-13 – 9780061491887

First off, let me say that I think Julia Quinn is a wonderfully entertaining and witty writer. There were several times while reading this book that I laughed aloud...


But I had two major issues with this book:
1. Poor Pacing
2. Waffling External Conflict

My first major issue with this book was pacing. The main characters didn't meet until after page 50, they didn't kiss until page 248 (if I remembered correctly), and they didn't finally get it on until page 300-something! Why Ms. Quinn even bothered to have them shack up so late in the plot baffled me. Why not wait until they married each other? I am sure that the author could have written something equally as entertaining and humorous to get the reader to their wedding vows...and finally into the bedroom. But had I had not been lured in by her sharp writing style and humor I would have slammed the book shut by page 50!

Secondly, I was disappointed that that there was no real conflict between the characters. The whole 'did he kill his fiancé' bit was worked out by page 150 and the Russian prince was obviously a non-issue because our heroine admitted that she did not like him herself fairly early on. The main characters have committed to love and marriage, at least theoretically, before they even sleep with one another. And then, for some reason which I have yet to determine, the author decided to include a third party conflict to wrap everything up. While the heroine displayed great gumption, and our hero was determined to save the day, this external conflict doesn't reveal anything about the characters to us and it only slowed the plot. If the conflict was needed to elicit character then why wasn't it included earlier to bring the characters closer together? At the point our heroine is abducted, we already know that that our main characters were in love with each other, so why include the conflict? The external conflict added little to our characters realizing anything about themselves and failed to move the plot along significantly.

Ultimately, I would actually recommend reading this book. I just think that readers should be aware of its pitfalls. Surely I am harping, but that is what I love to do! One of these days I will write my own book and it will surely be PERFECT!

Like I said, I enjoyed reading it. I just wanted more - more conflict, more of the characters together bantering (Ms. Quinn writes great dialogue here), more pulling each other into alcoves, and less external conflict without reason. So all in all, "London" made me laugh and had one of the more original and romantic proposals of the many romance novels that I have read recently.

Happy Reading,
FindingAlpha

Wedded, Bedded – Abandoned?

Novel – Two Weeks With a Stranger
Author – Debra Mullins
ISBN-13 – 9780060799243

This book was the first book that I have read by Debra Mullins. I was intrigued by the plot line – a man must complete his duty to his country but in doing so may lose the woman he loves – his wife. The main premise of the book interested me because although this was a Regency Romance, it seemed to me that this topic was still relevant today. I wanted to see how the author handled a man’s servitude to his country and the hard choices he must make in doing so. While nowadays a man may not be called upon to seduce another woman for the sake of country, the idea that he can become so caught up in serving his country that the love of his wife comes second is still completely relevant. Intriguing plot, I thought and I read on.

Overall, this book moved quickly. The author portrayed some entertaining scenes, some steamy scenes, and some heart-felt scenes. I especially enjoyed a scene in which where after they bed each other passionately he can not reconcile their style of love making with the face that she is his wife – a gently bred lady – and a vixen in the sack! All men I know would certainly have issues with such a woman…(please note sarcasm)…

What the author failed to deliver on though was an answer to this question of duty and order of precedence of the heart. ****Spoiler Alert**** While the male character does not sleep with the other woman, he doesn’t completely abandon his duty either. He admits to loving his wife and tells her he will never lie to her, ever again. Apparently the reader is to accept that this character’s willingness to tell the truth in all things absolves him of his vows of fidelity! This plot resolution was a complete cop out on the author's part. I would have preferred him giving up the seduction line and choosing his wife, or finding someway to save the country and have his wife, too! However, he never gets to the bedroom with the other lady and so our hero never has to make that difficult choice. Fate intervened - lucky him – or lucky wife?

I still can’t decide if the author was making a case for ‘such was a woman’s lot in life back then…suck it up’. If that is the case, why do I read romance!?!

So maybe that is the crux of it – my issue with this story, that is – I didn’t like the male character. He was multi-faceted to be sure, but way too sympathetic in some scenes and then too cold and remote in others – sometimes in the same scene! All that duty muddled his head apparently. It seemed like the author was trying to write an alpha male character, but instead got a schizophrenic one. And, we are supposed to believe he would be able to seduce this other woman, but how are we supposed to believe in his abilities of seduction when he doesn’t have experience at it? I mean, he had to ask his friend for advice! Certainly, I like my male characters to be humanistic, brooding, ill-tempered, having a dark past, but never, NEVER, needing to seek advice (willingly) on how to seduce a woman. The very premise of seduction should be ingrained into his very soul! This is romance novel after all!

Overall this book was an entertaining, quick read. Certainly not one of the better novels I have read, but it will get the job done if you can get past some (major) character flaws…

Happy Reading
-FindingAlpha

Sex and Miracles

Novel - Death Angel
Author - Linda Howard
ISBN - 9780345486554

There are many things that I enjoyed about this book - steamy sex scenes, good pacing, great turns of phrase and characterization. There are also a couple of things that I disliked (and sometimes I tend to focus on the negative...) - that the main character is a stalker, miracles and quick endings.


This book opened so strong and I was sucked in immediately. Certainly I was titillated, but I kept reading because I wanted to know how this was all going to get resolved - assassin lovers and ladies on the run - interesting... I found myself drawn in until about half-way through the book when the protagonist is the recipient of a miracle! I am sure that miracles are standard fair in many books, but a romance novel involving the mob, assassins, and murder are another thing. Maybe it's just that I prefer to compartmentalize miracles and sex, or maybe it's just my analytical brain. Either way, I found these 20 pages or so to be jarring as a reader. The unreality of this plot twist pulled me out of the story. Not to mention that as a result of this miracle the protagonist is gifted with premonitory abilities - and as far as I could tell this additional characteristic had no bearing on the plot.

One of the other issues that I found fault with was that I don't remember our alpha-male character telling his female lead that he loved her. He might have conveyed his love through actions, but doesn't every girl, even the strong ones, want to hear the words uttered? Maybe I just missed it...

Overall, I found this to be an entertaining, albeit slightly flawed read; I wanted more of the characters, more cat and mouse, more steaminess and less miracle filler. Nevertheless, if you like Linda Howard or suspense romance novels, I would recommend this book.