Finding The Happy

For those of who know me, or have met me live and in the flesh, you'll know I'm not a Happy Sunshine Pollyanna person.  But I'm also not a miserable human being who walks with a cloud over her head all the time.  I'm pretty much an even-keel kind of gal.  There are two types of people I cannot tolerate - those who create drama for the sake of drama and those who endlessly gripe for the sake of griping.  Look, I can whine with the best of 'em, but sooner or later you need to stop whining, pull up your big girl panties, and take your medicine.  Life isn't always pleasant.  It has a way of rearing it's ugly head when you least expect it.  I usually give myself a few days to wallow, and then I need to "move on."  Because frankly, not only does My Man dislike being around Wallowing Wendy, I dislike being around Wallowing Wendy.

I hit a wall last week.  I feel a little guilty about this since it meant I spent my weekend in a foul mood.  My Man works hard, this is a busy time of year for him at his job, and the last thing he needs is a cranky girlfriend on the weekend.  It's not fair to him, and honestly?  I don't like being cranky girl.  So by Monday morning, I had resolved to "get over it."  But dang, that's proving to be hard.  Just when I think I'm ready to take my medicine, be the big girl, someone ends up smacking me upside the head.  Or in kindergarten terms, taking my ice cream cone and dumping it in the sand box.  I keep telling myself that not everybody is a Big Ol' Meanie Jerkface - and that the universe really isn't out to get me.  No really, it's not.  But seriously, ::sigh::.

Which got me thinking, while I was in Full Blown Irrational Cranky Mode, on what makes me "happy."  Lots of things actually make me happy.  My family makes me happy.  Babies laughing makes me happy.  Kittens make me happy.  Good European chocolate topped off with a bottle of wine makes me very happy.  But you know what really, really makes me happy?

Books. 

And I don't think this is just a "librarian thing" - more like a "reader thing" in general.  You know what flips my switch really hard?  Shiny, hard cover books, with pristine dust jackets, that haven't been cracked open yet.  Brand new mass market paperbacks, lined up in a row on the shelf, not a beat-up spine in the bunch.

My fetish isn't even reserved for "new" books.  I love The Hunt.  I haven't done it in ages, what with store-fronts closing at record speed - but there is nothing quite like a good old-fashioned Used Bookstore Hop.  I used to do this all the time when I lived in Michigan.  I'd drive around town, and hit anywhere from 3 to 4 used bookstores.  I would spend the whole day "hunting."  Sometimes I cleaned up, sometimes I found nothing, but it was just the act of pawing through piles of books, like an archaeologist looking for buried treasure, that seemed to get my mind right.

Sure I could buy lots of old historical romances on eBay, but trust me - it's not the same.

As far as actual reading goes - when I'm in full-blown Wallowing Wendy mode, it's hard for me to start reading.  It's hard for me to sit down, pick up the book, and start.  Once I "make myself" start - I can usually keep going for a while.  But sometimes not any ol' story will do when I'm cranky girl.  Usually my blood-thirsty nature comes out.  For example?  Right now I'm working through the last of HelenKay Dimon's Mystery Men series for Harlequin Intrigue.  I thought, why not?  Stories about people who carry guns and shoot at bad guys.  If I wasn't so back-logged right now, I'd probably be more than half-tempted to root around in my keeper stash and reread something.  But I am back-logged, so gun-totin' hottie heroes it is.

So, in an effort to kick-start my flagging blogging mojo - I want to hear from all of you.  When you're in a cranky mood, do you turn to books?  And if so, what do you like to read when you're in Cranky Mode?  Hey, I even want to hear examples (with book titles!) if you have them.

Librarians Helping Librarians: eReader Program Help

One of the awesome-sauce things about blogging is that you "meet" a variety of people.  And even with my total lack of blogging about "library stuff" - yes there are even other librarians who read this blog.  Shock of all shocks.  Macaire is one of those librarians, and she's looking for some advice.  Her library is looking into starting an eReader lending program for their patrons, and would love some insight from other libraries who already have a program like this in place.

Hey, we librarians are firm believers in not reinventing the wheel.

So if you work for a library who has a program like this, or helped implement a program like this - Macaire would certainly appreciate your insights.  See her direct plea below:

I am an Adult Services Librarian in a small public library. We would like to begin loaning pre-loaded e-readers to our patrons, and are attempting to put together a proposal for purchase and all policies related to lending. I have been charged with gathering information from other libraries that already have an e-reader lending program in place. I would love to hear from librarians who would be willing either to take the time to answer a few questions via email or to chat with one of our staff members by phone. If you would like to help us out, please just send me an email with your contact information and preferred method of contact.

Stephanie Plum, Ho Bag

Genre fiction (any genre, pick a genre), is unique from most other types of fiction because, by it's nature, readers are deeply invested.  The book doesn't even have to be part of a series for this to happen.  As genre readers, there are just certain conventions that readers hold dear.  That we hold up as truth.  When a genre author is doing their job well, the characters should leap off the page and feel "real" - even when we know as competent adults that they aren't.  They're "characters."  It's this feeling of "real" that keeps readers coming back for more.  Says me.

So what happens when a character in a genre book goes off the rails?  Well, it depends.  What one reader is willing to forgive in a character can, and sometimes does, vastly differ from what the reader standing next to them will. 

Which brings me to Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich, the 17th (well duh) entry in the Stephanie Plum, inept Jersey bounty hunter series.  When I first joined online Romancelandia way back a trillion years ago, a new Stephanie Plum book was anticipated, dissected, and ravenously devoured.  Think about the hysteria over the early J.R. Ward novels and you'll have a decent comparison.  But as the series has droned on, and as the author has essentially given readers the same book over and over and over and over and over and.....ahem - again.  Well, a lot of people have moved on.  I, however, have not.  Oh don't get me wrong.  I'm not what you would consider a rabid squee'ing The Author Can Do No Wrong fangirl.  No, I just keep listening because I haven't gotten pissed off enough yet to quit.

I think, that's the key.  I listen.  I have never, ever read one of these in print format.  It's been audiobook all the way since #1.  If I were a reader?  Yeah, I probably would have thrown in the towel already, because my reading time is valuable.  My listening time?  Not so much.  I mean, I'm trapped in my dang car during my commute anyway.  Stephanie Plum or inane DJ chatter?  Hmmm, what to choose, what to choose.....

So what were my thoughts on #17.  Well?  Stephanie has turned into a slut.  Now, I know - she's been bouncing between two men for ages, and she's just now a slut?  Hear my out....

I've always felt that Stephanie should be with neither man in her life.  She shouldn't choose either of them.  Joe wants to change her and Ranger would never be a true partner.  If a man wants to change you?  Yeah, no thanks.  And if a man is always going to hold some of himself back from you?  Yeah, no thanks.  But, since those are our choices, I will say that Morelli has mellowed in recent books.  He's not quite as authoritative.  I see him and Stephanie as "in a relationship" - even if they won't put a name to it.  Hell, in this book - he even says he "loves" her.  Now, this is Evanovich so it's not a mushy declaration - but Morelli says the word "love" in Stephanie's general direction.  Which in my mind means - the guy cares about her.  He's not just in it for the sex.

The problem comes in when Stephanie has smokin' hot sex with Ranger in this book.  I can't entirely blame the girl - but now that it feels like Morelli and her are a "couple?"  And Joe says the L word in the course of the book?  Yeah.  Skank Alert At 12 o' Clock.  Look, I'm all for keeping your options open, but what is good for the gander needs to be just as good for the goose.  Stephanie gets jealous when other chicks come sniffing around Joe.  He cares about her, and she knows it.  And she still bangs Ranger.

Ho Bag.

Yeah, I just said that. 

I know that may sound strange from someone who reads some pretty skanky erotica, but the minute there are "feelings" involved and someone could get their wee lil' heart stomped on?  Yeah.

Ho Bag.

However, this wasn't actually the entire issue for me.  If Stephanie wants to be a skank, she should at least own it.  Which she doesn't.  She blames her bangin' Ranger on the fact that Morelli's creepy grandma Bella put a spell on her.  A horny spell.

Seriously, shoot me. 

So yeah, not only is Stephanie now a ho bag, but she's a ho bag who won't even own her own skankiness.

There's also a thin mystery angle here, which is actually thinner than usual.  I know, it's hard to believe that's possible - but it is.  Now, I know nobody actually reads these books for the mysteries - but this one was obvious and telegraphed early on, and no amount of the author throwing around a half-baked, runny-egg red herring was enough to make me overlook it.

Seriously. Thin.  Epically, colossally thin.  Kate Moss isn't this thin.

Which sounds like I'm ready to break-up with this series doesn't it?  You'd think that, but no.  Again, listening not reading.  And honestly, even with Stephanie being an inept, won't own her skankiness, ho-bag - I'm not angry enough yet to call it quits.  To quit on a series, I really need to be angry.  Hulk-mad, Hulk-smash, feeling like I'm being taken advantage of, angry.  And since I've always firmly believed that the author will never resolve the love triangle, that the author will continue to give me the same book over and over and over and over....sorry....again?  Yeah,  I know what I'm getting.  And I'm not angry.  Yet.

But I can see and understand why some other readers are.

Discussion time: When do you call it quits on a series?  What tends to be the final breaking point for you?  The straw that broke your reading back?

A Princess, A Knight And A Mixed Bag

I have never naturally gravitated towards the medieval time period in Historical Romance Novel Land.  However, I do like to read them, on occasion, to stretch my wings and keep my palate from getting bored.  Which would explain my theory on there being two types of medievals.  The first are those books that speak directly to medieval history junkies, those readers who already adore the setting.  The second are those medievals that can (and do) often work for the first group, but also have that ability to transcend to historical romance readers in general.  Those readers who love historical romances, but might not be that gung-ho on the time period.  I love finding the latter, but run into the former just as often.  Lindsay Townsend's To Touch The Knight is, I suspect, the former.

Edith of Warren Hamelt is a blacksmith's widow.  She has also buried a fiance' who died before they could take the trip down the aisle.  She's a resourceful girl, who uses her wits to get her whole village out of a jam.  When the Black Death comes rolling into town, their lord, fearing the spread of the disease, locks them all in the church (healthy and sick), leaving them to die.  Once she frees them, she hits upon a plan.  Using the fine silks and stories her sailor grandfather brought back from his travels, she'll play an exotic eastern princess with the other villagers playing her entourage.  They travel the circuit of various tournaments, where Edith, as a veiled princess, has many admirers among the competing knights.  She and the villagers are safe and well-fed, until an old enemy comes creeping out of the forest.

Sir Ranulf of Fredenwyke is a widower, who competes in the tournaments in the name of his dead wife.  He doesn't compete to win ladies' favors, or even the glory.  His motives are never entirely clear, but one gets the impression he isn't wild about moldering around Fredenwyke, where memories of his wife are everywhere.  When he hears rumblings about a princess, he decides to check her out for himself.  He's not that impressed, and isn't about to grovel at her feet, but something about her does intrigue him.  There's something more there than meets the eye....

On the surface, this story held a lot of promise.  I have not read an extensive catalog of medievals, but even I'm aware that stories centered around tournaments of archery, jousting, and the like aren't terribly common.  It gives this novel a nice backdrop, with not only the pageantry and chivalry, but also with the shadow of the Black Death lurking around every corner; giving the setting an intersting mix of "light" and "dark."  When looking at the sense of place and detail of this tale, there's a lot here that medieval fans should really enjoy.

The problem for me came with the romance.  Edith is lying.  OK, she has an excellent reason for lying, and lying characters aren't a deal-breaker for me by any stretch of the imagination.  The problem here is trust.  Edith and Ranulf keep a lot of details to themselves for a very long stretch.  Again, Edith has some cause, but she keeps on lying even after she should have gotten somewhat of a clue that Ranulf is a trustworthy sort.  That he's not going to throw her to the wolves.  These two have doubts about each other up until the very end, and it did not instill me with confidence that their love story was going to transcend the ages.

The pacing of this book was also an issue for me.  Admittedly, I do read a lot of category romance, but the first 100 pages of this story take a while to get off the ground.  There's a lot of set-up.  There's a lot of moving around of various chess pieces.  Because of this, I felt the conflict lacked a real sense of urgency.  The villain is present for the whole book, and while he is a "bad man," I never read those moments when he was on page with my heart in my throat.  A more foreboding sense of danger would have definitely helped move things along.

I appreciated the sense of place, the history, and the idea of the story.  It all boils down to the execution not entirely working for me.  Which leaves me with one of those books that sort of evened out in the end.  It didn't light my world on fire, but it also didn't have me reaching for vodka liquid courage either.  However, if you're a reader who adores medievals, and consider yourself a fan of the time period?  This one may be worth your consideration.

Final Grade = C

She's Alive! She's Alive!

So yeah.  This blog has been a bit of a wasteland this past week.  I misplaced my mojo, and then this weekend was my belated birthday trip to Malibu.  Although honestly, it was also My Man's Work Is Kicking My Butt Right Now getaway trip.  Good times, good food, great wine, whoa momma great desserts, great view, a bunch of What Was She Thinking? Plastic Surgery Watching, and What's He Overcompensating For By Driving That Car Watching.

I'm back home now, back on the Interwebs, and back to reality.  Now, back to the laundry. 

Stupid reality.

TBR Challenge 2011: Wendy's Deep Dark Secret

The Book: Beyond Desire by Thea Devine

The Particulars: Historical erotic romance, Zebra, 1993, Out of Print.  Reprinted by Kensington Brava, 2003, edition still appears to be in print.

Why Was It In Wendy's TBR?:  Only Rosie seems to "get it" (OK, Lisabea too...), but I have mad, insane, crazy love for Thea Devine. 

The Review:  I need to be upfront about this: I cannot be objective when talking about a Thea Devine book.  I just can't.  Yes, I know her writing style is...uh, colorful.  Yes, I'm well aware her plots are beyond convoluted and tend to cause brain bleeds.  Yes, I see all this, and you know what?  I don't give a good golly gosh darn.  The reason?  This woman saved my life.  Back in 2001, after a string of lackluster romances featuring heroines I wanted to run over with a bus, I read my first Thea Devine.  It was also the first book I ever read that could be construed as erotic romance.  People, it was like the clouds parted, sunshine rained down on me, and a heavenly choir started singing. 

Beyond Desire is vintage Devine, which is to say if I had discovered this book as a teenager (which I was in 1993), it would have warped my fragile lil' mind.  Our fair heroine, Alexandra deLisle has buried both her archaeologist father and her shrew of a mother.  Daddy left behind many secrets, including a mysterious pair of stone bracelets.  Her dippy sister, Allegra, has taken to sleep-walking around their house, searching for something...possibly these bracelets.  Why?  Because she's fallen under the spell of our dastardly villain, Dzmura.

Our hero, Ryder Culhane (!), is another archaeologist of dubious reputation who also appears on the scene looking for those bracelets, but also to take down the villainous Dzmura.  For some added WTFBBQ spice, he also has some sort of sixth sense that smacks more of plot-shortcutting.  When Allegra goes missing, presumably kidnapped by Dzmura, he finds his path blocked by Alexandra who has hidden the bracelets and tells Ryder he must take her along on this merry chase.

See, seriously...it's convoluted.  On top of that, Devine hasn't met a set of italics or ellipses she didn't love.  I have a hard time recommending her to anyone who doesn't already have a fascination with her books (hence, when Rosie and I meet over lunch?  We talk about Devine....uh, a lot).

So you're probably wondering, if I can see the flaws, if I can pick apart her books like a cotton ball - why exactly do I love her?  The short answer?  The heroines.  What I love, love, love about Devine is that there are no separate rules for heroine and hero.  Her heroines are allowed to be just as conniving, manipulative, sneaky and mysterious as her heroes.  And when I discovered her books back in 2001, after a string of vapid, insipid books featuring brain-dead ninnies passing themselves off as heroines?

Yeah, you get something like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally:



I'm in it for the soap opera more so than the romance (because honestly, it's a rare book by Devine that works for me at the romance level).  However, I'm also in it for gems like these:

"'Never,' she shot back, 'but of course you are very used to grabbing women in the dark and having them curtsy and say thank you very much."

::swoon::

"You know nothing about manners, Mr. Culhane, nothing at all."

"I know enough to let you precede me out the door."

"Oh no...no.  We need not stand on any kind of protocol here, Culhane.  I would infinitely prefer not to have you at my back."

::double swoon::

"She wanted to cut him up into little pieces and stamp on them.  'You have it all wrong Culhane,' she said finally when she had some control over her hostility.  'You were the one yearning all night for that.  And I know it was worth the wait.'"

I wonder if this heroine will marry me?

"'May I say neither do you?' he said acidly.  'But you don't need to think to obey the terms of a bargain.'

"'Thank you, but we've done that already,' she muttered, struggling against him.

'But I prefer you wide awake and willing.'

'And I prefer you far away and disinclined.'

'You win,' he said, dropping his arm abruptly."

And that's why I love me some Ms. Devine. 

I have a devil of a time assigning grades to Devine books - because I know I can't be objective.  Still, even overlooking what I tend to overlook, I had major issues with this one.  Ryder is a bit of a jackass, even by Devine standards.  Alexandra gives as good as she gets for a while, but in the end I'm thinking the path she's chosen isn't all that different from what her precious snowflake sister wanted - and we're to believe the sister is massively warped?  Also, I'll be honest - I love Devine, but her straight-up historicals without any half-cocked paranormal woo-woo just work infinitely better for me on the Guilty Pleasure scale.    So yeah, no desire to horde this one among my stash of Devine keepers.  Although now I want to reread Desired....

Final Grade = C

Who Got You Hooked?

I'm on the road this morning, over at Random Houses' Romance At Random community, talking about how I got hooked on the romance genre.  I also talk about the first romance novel I ever read (ever) and what I really thought of the ending of A Knight In  Shining Armor (back when I read it as a teenager).

Why not go on over and take a gander?  There's even a giveaway attached!

Reminder: TBR Challenge For August

For those of you participating in the 2011 TBR Challenge, a reminder that your commentary is "due" on Wednesday, August 17. 

This month's theme is Steamy Reads.  Erotica, erotic-romance, or just something really sensual, it's all good!  Remember, the themes are completely and totally optional.  If you're not one for the super steamy stuff, or there's nothing lying around in your TBR that fits, please go off the beaten path.  The themes aren't as important as digging something (anything!) out of your TBR Pile.

It's also not too late to sign-up.  If you are interested in doing so, or just want to learn more about the challenge, please see the information page.

The Month That Was July 2011

Lemon Drop: Oh thank heavens you're finally here Auntie Wendy!

Me: Getting a little light reading in kiddo?

Lemon Drop:  As you know, my favorite thing to do is pull all my clothes out of my dresser and dump them on the floor.  However, Mommy has decided this is not a fun game (pfft, what does she know?), so I've resorted to looking for something to read.  All I've found are Daddy's textbooks.  Help!

Me: Say no more.  Your Auntie Wendy is here to save the day.  I had a very solid month, getting through 12 books, and only one DNF in the bunch!

Title links will take you to full reviews

Her Wyoming Man by Cheryl St. John, Historical western romance, Harlequin Historical, 2011, Grade = B-

• Former "kept woman" heroine (OK, prostitute) escapes her old life by answering a mail order bride ad.  Hero is a widower with three young children and political ambitions.  Vintage St. John.  Feel-good vibe.  Heroine with a past.  Gentle love story.  My only quibble?  The resolution to the main conflict was a little too pat.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Heroine With A Past, Widower, Single Father, Mail-Order Bride, Big Secret.

Molly Cooper's Dream Date by Barbara Hannay, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Romance, 2011, Grade = B+

• Heroine desperate for adventure, but with little funds, agrees to a home-swap style vacation with the hero.  She'll be at his posh London home, and he'll be working on his neglected novel at her tiny island cottage in Australia.  A nice romance, about nice people, who develop their relationship through an e-mail exchange.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Lookin' For Love Heroine, Well-To-Do Hero, Pen Pals, Big Secret

The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen, Mystery/Suspense, Ballantine, 2011, Grade = B

• The latest entry in the author's Rizzoli/Isles series.  Solid suspense thread set against the backdrop of Boston's Chinatown.  Can't wait for the next book.

Ever Yours by Gabriella Anderson, Historical romance, Zebra, 2003, Grade = DNF

• A Beauty and the Beast book that I picked up for the TBR Challenge.  I gave up after 75 pages or so, mostly because I was bored.  Honestly, it's Beauty and the Beast.  Where's the angst?  There wasn't any.  I don't want to label it "fluffy" - but it did fall flat for me. 

Soldier On Her Doorstep by Soyara Lane, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Romance, 2011, Grade = B

• Hero made promise to heroine's husband before he died - hence, he's on her doorstep.  A lovely, quiet story about a wounded hero and a heroine who finds love again.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Widow Heroine, Military Hero, One Not-So-Talkative Kidlet, Big Secret

License to Pawn by Rick Harrison, Non-fiction, Hyperion, 2011, Grade = B

• Behind-the-scenes look at the business, and personalities, of the Pawn Stars TV show.  A super quick read, but one that will probably be best enjoyed by those already addicted to TV show.  Excellent book for "reluctant readers" - says me.

A Family For the Rugged Rancher by Donna Alward, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Romance, 2011, Grade = B-

• Heroine in desperate need of a job hires on to be the hero's temporary housekeeper.  He just didn't plan on her bringing a kid with her.  Nice, believable angst - although I thought the hero's logic behind why he couldn't have a family of his own was a bit cracked.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Heroine Done Wrong, One Lonely Little Boy, Wounded Hero, Rancher Ahoy!

The Wanton Governess by Barbara Monajem, Digital historical erotic romance short story, Harlequin Historical Undone, 2011, Grade = B

• Hero comes home from America to discover his family has invented a wife for him.  The "wife" in question?  A woman he has a serious case of love-at-first-sight for.  Sexy, fleshed-out story with likable characters and plenty of shenanigans.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Ruined Heroine Down On Her Luck, Love At First Sight, Reunion, Meddling Family

With This Ring by Carla Kelly, Traditional Regency romance, Signet, 1997, Grade = C

• Cinderella heroine with a vapid, dippy sister and a shrew of a mother, ends up falling for Army major slash Earl who needs to come up with real wife to replace the one he invented via letters home.  Really enjoyed the heroine, but wasn't nearly as enamored with the hero. 

The Governess and the Sheikh by Marguerite Kaye, Historical romance, Harlequin Historical, 2011, Grade = C+

• Jilted heroine is visiting her married sister in Arabia when she hires on to be a governess for a neighboring sheikh's hoyden daughter.  Likable romantic couple, but felt the conflict needed a shot in the arm.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Sheikh Ahoy!, Heroine Done Wrong, Happy Couple From Previous Book, One Ill-Behaved Little Girl

Mr. Right There All Along by Jackie Braun, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Romance, 2011, Grade = B+

• Heroine who was bullied in high school gets invitation to 10-year reunion.  She wants to make a splash, gets on the make-over train, much to the dismay of the hero, her BFF.  A lovely story that utilizes one of my absolute favorite tropes!  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Heroine Done Wrong, Hero With Daddy Issues, High School Reunion, Friends To Lovers

The Army Ranger's Return by Soraya Lane, Contemporary romance, Harlequin Romance, 2011, Grade = B+

• Breast cancer survivor heroine strikes up pen-pal relationship with Army Ranger hero.  When he returns home, they meet in person.  Naturally sparks fly.  Emotionally angsty story about two wounded characters.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Military Hero, Widower,  One Over-Protective Brother, One Surly Teen, Big Secret

Lemon Drop:  Oh man, that's so much better.  I needed that.  I love Daddy, but the guy's a geek.  Group theory?  What the heck is Group Theory?  Is that like what happens in some of the naughty books you read Auntie Wendy?

Me: Uh, not quite.  Seriously, your father is going to kill me.

She's Come Undone

I'm over at Heroes & Heartbreakers again today. 

For those romance readers among you who have "known" me a long time, you will recall that there was a moment in the not-too-distant past where I was fed-up, burnt-out and just plain "over" anything involving Regency England.  And naturally, since my timing has always sucked eggs, my burn-out set in during a period when every flippin' historical romance (or maybe it just seemed like it to my burnt-out brain) was set in Regency England.

Well my latest post?  All about how I got over that burn-out.  Go on over and take a gander.

Marrying Miss Marshal

Contrary to my reputation in some circles, I'm a fairly easy-to-please reader.  No, really - I am.  Give me a good story, interesting characters, with competent writing, and I'm all in.  Which is where Marrying Miss Marshal, Lacy Williams' debut novel comes in.  I'll be honest, I was a little hesitant as I started this book.  It's an inspirational western romance about a heroine who is a town marshal.  Yeah, we're talking major potential land mines all the way.  But you know what?  Sometimes it's not about what I think I know, but all about what the author can make me believe. 

Danna Carpenter's was one of her husband's deputies.  When Fred is killed, the town council appoints Danna marshal.  However, even with their endorsement, it's been an uphill battle.  Nobody will work for her, which means no deputies.  Plus, she's had no success tracking down the culprit who shot her husband.  The last thing this gal needs is some citified private detective rolling into town.  Especially when she finds herself rescuing the idiot from a stampede.

Chas O'Grady has been hired to look into some suspected cattle rustling in the area.  When he's almost mowed down by a stampede, he's shocked to discover that his rescuer is a....woman!  And when he discovers she's the town marshal?  Yeah, his brain almost self-destructs.  Since he's a stranger in town, doesn't really know the lay of the land, it's imperative for him to be on the right side of the local law.  Which means working with Danna.  A woman he finds exceedingly interesting, and attractive, despite her unconventional ways.

OK, let's get this out of the way upfront.  Yes, a heroine who is a lawman in 1889 Wyoming.  Yes, yes, I know.  I've never been one to drone on about "historical accuracy" in historical romance novels - but even this gave me pause.  I'm not saying it couldn't have happened.  Maybe it did happen?  But it's certainly eye-brow raising.  Now, that being said, the author does eventually close this plot hole.  How did a woman end up being the town marshal?  It's explained, and in a way I could buy-into.  She just takes a while to do it (in other words, you can't read 50 pages and expect to have the answer).

What made this story work for me is that I could believe Danna as a town marshal.  I really could.  She's competent, intelligent, hard-working and observant.  In many ways, she reminds me quite a bit of a Maggie Osborne heroine.  Unconventional, an outsider, not a frippery-frou-frou sort of female.  She's a straight-shooter, which is what I really liked about her.  Danna is the kind of heroine that you would not only be friends with, but who would also give you an honest opinion if you asked for one.

Chas is a decent guy, but also a fairly typical man.  I don't want to say he immediately dismisses Danna (I mean, she did save his life), but the idea of a woman being the marshal?  Ha!  However, what I really enjoyed here is that while Danna and Chas do get off on the wrong foot, while there is some animosity there early on - they eventually get past it.  Once Chas realizes that he needs her help, and also that she's pretty good at her job.  She proves herself to him, and dang if he isn't drawn to her in a way that complicates matters.

There's a fair amount of internal angst floating around.  Danna was married before, so there are her feelings for her first husband (she cared for him, but it wasn't a grand passion).  Chas feels guilt over his role in a woman's death, and is determined to bring the murderer to justice.  Add in the cattle rustling, and Danna's struggles to gain the town's acceptance, and it adds up to plenty of conflict to keep the pages turning.

Since this is an inspirational, I feel it's important to mention The God Stuff.  I tend to treat religion a lot like sex in my romance novels.  If it doesn't feel organic to the story, it annoys the stuffing out of me.  Here, the religious elements are painted with an extremely light brush.  So light, that it's easy to forget this wasn't published by Harlequin Historical.  When it enters into the story, it's pretty believable fare.  Danna believes that God watches over her.  At one point, during a crisis, she prays.  That's honestly about it.  Readers looking for a "heavier" religious tone in this story will likely be disappointed.  But if you're like me, and just looking for a good western romance?  You won't feel like the author is trying to convert you.

I really enjoyed this debut novel.  It was a good story, well told, and featured interesting characters.  I liked Danna, a lot.  And Chas is also a pretty darn decent guy (red-headed hero alert!).  I believed they were falling in love, I liked that they worked together, and I also liked that they rescued each other....in more ways than one.  If that's not a good romance, I'm not sure what is.

Grade = B

(Sidenote: Squeeeeee! New historical western author!)

Like A Butterfly, A Wild Butterfly

I think it's been fairly well documented that I like to read "short."  In fact, it's actually my preferred method for finding erotica writers.  I'll be honest, as much as I love erotica, there is nothing more brain-bleed inducing than poorly done erotic-anything.  Hence, reading short.  It allows me to sample at the buffet, and if I stumble across something that evokes my gag reflex?  Hey, at least I don't have a full plate of it to wade through.

Obsessed: Erotic Romance For Women is edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel and features 19 stories.  With this book only clocking in at 216 pages, plus the forward and introduction?  Yeah, these are super quick reads, but lengthy enough to turn me on (ha!) to some new-to-me writers.

Silent Treatment by Donna George Storey is a reunion story.  The heroine is off on a "silent" retreat.  A weekend of yoga, relaxation, and total silence - when she runs into an old lover.  Did I mention the emphasis on "silent" retreat?  This was an OK story, but I found the lack of disclosure on "why" their relationship fizzled the first time around frustrating.  Grade = C

One Night In Paris by Kayla Perrin finds the personal assistant heroine jetting off to Paris to surprise her hunky boss, a former NFL-er turned venture capitalist.  I've read erotica, romance and suspense by Perrin, and I really think she's "at home" with erotica.  Steamy stuff.  Grade = B

Concubine by Portia Da Costa features a hero with a twisted ankle begging the heroine to tell him a naughty story.  She does - about a concubine and her warrior prince returned from battle.  The story was OK, but what I really wanted more of was the modern-day couple!  Those two were vintage Da Costa - cheeky and fun.  Grade = B-

Love And Demotion by Logan Belle is another secretary/boss offering.  Heroine moonlights as a burlesque performer.  Uh, which is where her hunkalicious boss tracks her down.  Really liked this story a lot - mutual attraction, pent up frustrations, and plenty of sizzle.  Grade = B

Mephisto Waltz by Justine Elyot pairs the heroine up with her former piano teacher, now a famous performer.  This was OK, but not really my speed - namely because the heroine is a virgin and needs to be "awakened."  Yeah, not so much in contemporary settings thanks.  But I did think it was done well, if this happens to be your bag. Grade = C+

Then by Emerald finds the heroine exploring her attraction with another man, with her husband's consent.  This story was a wee bit emotionally uncomfortable, but one aspect I really enjoyed was how open and honest the married couple were with each other.  That was a very nice element to the story.  Grade = B

It's Gotta Be Fate by Jennifer Peters finds our submissive heroine looking to break the mold of a previous relationship disaster.  Wanting to be "on top" for a change, she places a personal ad and gets more than she bargained for.  I'll admit it, I like reading about dominant heroines, and this story worked well for me.  Grade = B

Hooked by Ariel Graham finds our married couple moving into a new place, and the heroine becoming fascinated by a giant hook hanging from their bedroom ceiling.  Gee, why is that there?  Plenty of tension, a solid married couple, my only quibble is Graham doesn't quite give me everything I wanted with the ending.  Grade = B-

Aftershocks by Bella Andre features an almost-divorced couple reuniting when an earthquake traps them in a storage building.  This story really didn't work for me.  Repeat after me: Dominant Does Not Equal Asshole.  I also wanted to bitch-slap the heroine when she said, "I thought I was marrying a man.  I thought I was marrying someone who would give me what I needed."  Seriously, where's a gun when you need one?  Grade = D

Secret Places by Adele Haze is a lovely story about the heroine who teaches her street musician lover to accept himself.  This was a nice surprise, with a sweetness to it that I wasn't expecting.  Grade = B

Loser by Charlotte Stein is about a woman who is boinking a "loser."  No, really.  An odd-job working, living in a filthy run-down trailer, skeevy-looking loser with a capital L.  I'll be honest, this story felt very sleazy, more than a little trashy, and unromantic to boot - but it knocked the wind out of me.  I'm not sure what it says about me (probably nothing good), but I liked it.  A lot.  Maybe because it shocked me?  Maybe because it felt different?  Whatever it was - more please.  Grade = B+

Here In Between by Kristina Wright finds our heroine heading to New York when she gets a flat-tire in the middle of nowhere, very late at night.  The hero rescues her on the side of the road, and takes her to the nearest motel.  This wasn't a poorly written story, and I'm capable of enjoying hot stranger = hot sex stories, but here?  Too-Stupid-To-Live kept running through my brain.  Grade = C

Spellbound by Garnell Wallace finds the heroine traveling to Haiti to film a documentary.  There she meets the hero.  I liked how timely this story was, even if it did skirt the unsavory bits due to word count.  It's also the lushest, most hypnotic story in the bunch.  Very atmospheric.  Grade = B

Raven's Flight by Andrea Dale finds the heroine falling for her hunky new Irish neighbor, who happens to have a wicked tattoo.  This was a solid story, but I felt the author tried to do too much with it.  She should have just given us a small window into the relationship, instead of trying to develop it all the way through to the end by jumping forward in time.  It felt jarring.  Grade = C+

Raindrop and Rooftops by Elizabeth Coldwell features a travel magazine writer heroine checking out a posh new hotel in Manhattan, as well as the owner of said hotel.  This was a great story until I got the part where the hotel provides sex toys in the honeymoon suite.  Major eyeroll.  Also, I understand that the heroine is looking for adventure, but really?  With a total stranger you're going to do that?  Grade = C

Topiary by K.D. Grace is another story I'm not sure I should have liked, but I did anyway (don't judge).  The hero really likes to landscape.  Uh, a lot.  Which is where our heroine comes in.  Seriously, I'm not sure I'm going to look at gardeners the same way ever again.  Oh and that whole dominant shouldn't be shorthand for asshole gripe of mine?   This author gets it right.  Says me.  Grade = B+

I Want To Hold Your Hand by Rachel Kramer Bussel features a hero who has recently lost weight, gotten hunky, gotten more female attention - and his wife is out of sorts over it.  How one partner's weight loss effects the other is an issue you hardly ever see addressed in fiction (or in real life for that matter), and it was a lovely angle to explore here.  Grade = B

Storm Surge by Teresa Noelle Roberts is about two adrenaline junkies who like to do it in extreme weather.  So they're off to Cape Cod just as a tropical storm is bearing down on them.  A little silly for my tastes, but well told and executed.  Grade = C+

Undercover Kink by Louisa Harte is about a heroine who likes wearing really naughty lingerie underneath her conservative clothing.  She's at the store to pick up her latest purchase and the hunky sales clerk shows her to the nearest dressing room.  A great way to end the anthology, steamy, sexy, whoa doggie!  Grade = B+

Finally, a couple of things in closing I'd like to mention.  I'm firmly in the Erotica As Fantasy camp, which means I tend to flip that switch while reading stories of this nature.  Hence, I can roll with No Condom Moments.  For readers who can't roll?  Yeah, this anthology is pretty light in the safe sex arena. 

Also, a word about the "romance" label.  All of these stories do end on a positive note.  They have "happy endings."  However, some of them are pretty vague in that area.  Using the Louisa Harte story as an example - I don't think her heroine and hero are through with each other - but are they riding off into the sunset proclaiming their undying love for each other?  Yeah, not so much. 

So, if you need the condoms, if you need that Let's Get Married And Be Together Forever moment at the end?  Yeah, this ain't your bag baby.  But it was mostly my bag, and I've already jotted down a few authors I must be on the lookout for.  Heck, I've already bought another book by Charlotte Stein.

Easy, thy name is Wendy.

Overall Grade = B

Hello Cowboys!

So I got Linda Lael Miller's latest newsletter in my inbox and this was the banner - large as life - right there filling the top of my browser screen:

Uh......

Yes, please?

Is that an acceptable answer?

(Seriously, guys with their clothes on.  Even when I'm totally inappropriate and objectifying men - I somehow end up doing it "wrong."  But hey, at least this blog is still safe to read at work.  Or for that matter, in front of your kidlets.)

Signed Sealed Delivered

As a reader, there's a certain magic in discovering a new author, especially one who is just starting out.  It always makes me feel smart and a little "hip" to get in on the ground floor, instead of playing catch-up well after the fact (which is what I'm doing most of the time).  In only her second published book, The Army Ranger's Return by Soraya Lane totally nails it for me.  That feeling I get when I read a really well-done, well-executed category romance.  Yes, reading any type of good book is rewarding, but category holds that little bit of added magic for me.  If this story is anything to go by?  That added magic is emotional intensity.

When Jessica Mitchell was undergoing treatment for breast cancer she found out about a pen pal program that pairs up people at home with military personnel serving overseas.  That's how she meets Special Forces Ranger Ryan McAdams.  They quickly become active pen pals, exchanging letters back and forth on a regular basis.  They also discover that they live near each other!  So when Ryan returns state-side thanks to an injury, they agree to meet in person. 

Ryan is very nervous about coming home.  When his wife passed away, he shut down and ran away.  Unfortunately, that means running away from his young son, who is now a surly 12-year-old and not all that happy to see Dear Old Dad.  He needs to repair his relationship with his son, deal with his physical therapy, and somehow thank Jessica, the woman who got him through to the other side.

This is a wonderful emotional story.  In Ryan's case, Jessica's letters got him through the day-to-day monotony of his last tour, and also the struggles.  He was able to tell her things he hasn't been able to talk about with anyone else.  An instance of where it's easier to tell a total stranger about your problems than those who are living those problems with you.  Jessica listens, and gives him good advice.  Without her, and her letters, he doubts he'd have the courage to face the mess he's made with his son.

The fly in the ointment is that Jessica has not told Ryan about her breast cancer, or the fact that it's casting a long shadow.  The disease took her sister, and her own breasts.  She's in remission now, but it's something she's going to have to deal with for the rest of her days.  She doesn't tell Ryan because she just wants to feel normal again.  She's tired of people close to her wanting to protect her.  Baby her.  Looking at her differently.  She just wants to feel like a normal, everyday woman.  The woman she was before The Big C rolled into town.  Then Ryan shows up and she fears that learning the truth might bring an end to their friendship.  Of course this all gets very complicated when she realizes that she just might be falling in love with the man.

The one sticking point here is definitely The Big Secret.  I totally understood, and even sympathized, with Jessica's plight.  This bit of conflict felt very organic to me, and realistic.  Should Jessica have kept this from Ryan?  OK, no.  But then, I understood why she did - because the author made me understand why she did.  As the reader, we know that Jessica is selling Ryan a little short - but he's a man with his own baggage to deal with.  A kid who "hates" him and his feelings over his wife's death.  Would the knowledge of Jessica's cancer be too much for even a strong, tough Army Ranger to bear?

Which means you have to read the book to find out.  The conflict with Ryan's son is fairly well done, although I did want some more of that.  The author makes it work given the page count of the Harlequin Romance line, but oh what she could have done with it in the SuperRomance world!  I also liked that snippets of those letters Jessica and Ryan wrote to each other were included, and I really appreciated the emotionally draining final chapters.  It's the stuff keepers are made of, and I suspect this book will be one for many, many readers.  Soraya Lane has two books out now.  Catch the elevator on the ground floor folks - she's turning in her fifth book at the end of this month.

Final Grade = B+

Digital Review: She's A Super Freak

Not all short stories are created equal.  I know some readers out there who pretty much loathe everything "short" - but I happen to love the format when it's in the hands of an author who can make it work for them.  The Wanton Governess by Barbara Monajem is her second short for Harlequin Historical Undone, and I'm just as taken with it as I was with her first.  This is a strong story, that gives me an actual story, flesh and blood characters, a supporting cast (!), and sexy times - all without making me feel like I'm missing out because it is "short."

Pompeia Grant is in a pickle.  When she dispatched of her virginity, she made the mistake of choosing the wrong man.  Oh, the guy was skilled - but he couldn't keep his big, fat mouth shut.  Word gets back to her brother, which means word gets back to her parents - which means she's working as a governess.  The problem is that Pompeia is very beautiful.  So beautiful that she apparently turns men into cads.  In short, she keeps getting fired.  Her latest dismissal occurs near Sir James Carling's estate.  His sister is a friend, and she's thinking of begging for a night's lodging.  Instead she gets roped into playing James' wife to appease their old goat of a grandmother!

James has just returned from America, and is shocked to learn that his siblings have invented a wife for him.  He's even more shocked to discover it's Pompeia acting the part.  They met years ago - and it was lust at first sight.  But James, being a gentleman, never pursued an affair.  Well now he's older, wiser, and here's the delectable Pompeia right under his nose.  I mean, a guy can only resist so much.

What I liked about this short story is that it felt like a full story.  Even factoring in the word count, I felt like I really got to know Pompeia and James.  I was also charmed by James' two siblings, their banter with each other, and the farce of keeping the wool over grandmother's eyes.  I'm not a huge fan of "love at first sight" style romances, but the author makes it work here, and also more palatable by coupling it with the "reunion/reunited" trope. 

James is suitably hero-worthy, with strong Alpha tendencies without being a raging asshole.  He's charming, slightly roguish, but also a gentleman.  He wants to do the right thing by the heroine, even as he's planning on debauching her.  What I liked about Pompeia was the little twist the author gives her character.  Yes, she's a fallen woman - but her greatest sin wasn't actually having sex.  Oh no.  It was admitting that she ::gasp:: liked it.  For that reason she thinks she's a wanton.  Immoral and improper.

What readers will have to be able to swallow though is the whole Impossibly Beautiful Heroine trope.  I mean, apparently just looking at Pompeia turns men into ravenous dogs.  Different time, different era, life didn't equal living in a PC world, blah blah blah - but every guy mentioned in this story (OK, not her father or brother) is trying to get underneath her skirts.  Hey, boys will be boys - but 99% of the ones Pompeia encounters in Regency Romance Land just have to come on to her?  I mean, really?  Normally this sort of thing gets on my nerves in a full-length novel, but as a trope for a short story?  It worked better for me.

I've read a lot of these Undone stories since Harlequin launched the line - and I enjoy them for what they are - quick, sexy reads.  That being said, they aren't all created equal.  Some authors seem to handle the constraints better than others.  Monajem is now firmly on my "she can make it work" list.

Final Grade = B