The Greek Tycoon's Librarian

Setting the stage, I haven't been feeling well since we got back from New York.  In fact, I came home from work early yesterday and called in sick today.  I am not a fun sick person to be around.  Yes, I'm one of those.  A whiny patient.

+++++++

Late at night, My Man lounging in bed, Wendy the Super Librarian doing her nightly ablutions in between praying for death (seriously, do not feel good....)

My Man: You can't make me go back (talking about work).

Me: Well, you can't make me go back  (Did I mention that I act like a 2-year-old when I don't feel well?)

My Man: You have to go back.  You "chose."

(OK, yeah, I chose to go to college to become a librarian - but seriously, I feel like crap right now).

Me: I should have chosen a Greek tycoon.

My Man: Yeah, what were you thinking?  Going for broke and Irish. But do you really think a man like that (a workaholic tycoon) would be capable of giving you a loving relationship?

Me: Love is highly overrated.

My Man: Oh really?  Please.  You'd be an emotional wreck if you were in a relationship like that.

Me: I'd just keep you on the side.  Mikos could support us both!

My Man: Mikos?!  Where the hell do you come up with this stuff?

::pause::

What are you reading right now?

++++++

For the record, I am not reading a Harlequin Presents right now.  Also, in the harsh light of a new day I realize that I really don't want a Greek tycoon named Mikos.  If Harlequin has taught me anything, it's that if you're with a Greek tycoon it's usually because he's 1) blackmailing you to get revenge on your family 2) you're his secretary and after years of ignoring your mousy looks he's finally got the hots for you now that your BFF has given you a make-over 3) you had a hot one-night-stand with him, ended up pregnant, and even though you want to give birth to a bouncing secret baby, he finds out the bun in the oven has his name all over it or 4) you tell him about the baby, he doesn't believe you, and accuses you of being a money-grubbing whore - but he keeps you around "just in case."  Great guy that he is.

Or, let's be honest here, it could be a variation on all four of those.  In which case, oy vei!

My life is already too full and rich to add that kind of drama to it. Plus, even at 100% healthy I'm not sure I'm capable of handling all that.  Seriously, those romance heroines are made of some stern stuff.

Unusual Historical Spotlight: Diamonds, Telephones, The Terror, A Bounty Hunter, and Gambling

Flawless by Carrie Lofty

What You Need To Know: Publication date September 27, 2011; First book in series

Description: 

A passion this seductive is more precious than diamonds. . . .

Sir William Christie, ruthless tycoon and notorious ladies' man, is dead. Now his four grown children have gathered for the reading of his will. What lies in store for half-siblings Vivienne, Alexander, and twins Gareth and Gwyneth? Stunning challenges that will test their fortitude across a royal empire...and lead them to the marvelously passionate adventures of their lives.

Lady Vivienne Bancroft fled England for New York, hoping to shed the confines of her arranged marriage to unrepentant rogue Miles Durham, Viscount Bancroft--though she never forgot the fiery desire he unleashed with his slightest touch. And when the gambling man arrives on her doorstep for a little sensual revenge for her desertion, he is met with Vivienne's dilemma: she must earn her father's inheritance by profitably running a diamond business worth millions in colonial South Africa.

Swept together in an exotic undertaking filled with heated passion and hungry temptation, will Vivienne and Miles discover that the marriage vows they once made are the greatest snare--or the most treasured reward?

 What Makes It Unusual: South Africa baby!

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

What You Need To Know: Publication date October 1, 2011; Inspirational (my past experience with this author is that she doesn't beat readers over the head with "the God stick" - but I can't speak for this particular title yet).

Description: 

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.

What Makes It Unusual: ZOMG - a Texas Ranger undercover and a switchboard-workin' heroine!

Love's Charade by Jane Feather

What You Need To Know: Publication date October 4, 2011; Reprint

Description:

A LADY REVEALED
The Earl of Linton had never been prone to sentiment. Only boredom could have led him to rescue Danny, a filthy street urchin, from the clutches of a drunken brawler. Once rescued, however, the spirited ragamuffin proved a handful even for the usually unflappable nobleman. Not only did a simple bath require force, but the squirming brat imprisoned in his arms turned out to be a winsome young lady--and a strangely familiar one at that...

A HEART DISGUISED

Danielle was grateful for the Earl's timely intervention, but not for his arrogance and bruising strength. She had fended for herself quite well until now, against dangers more far-reaching than anyone imagined. That she had won the Earl's considerable protection only made it more vital that she keep her wits about her--and never give in to the quickening of her heartbeat every time his deceptively lazy eyes bore into hers...

What Makes It Unusual: Set in Paris on the eve of the French Revolution.

Night Hawk by Beverly Jenkins

What You Need To Know:  Publication date October 25, 2011

Description: 

Outlaw. Preacher.  Night Hawk. He’s had many names, but he can’t escape the past.

Since Ian Vance’s beloved wife was murdered years ago, the hardened bounty hunter knows he’ll never feel love or tenderness again, so he’s made it his mission to ensure others get their justice. But when he’s charged with delivering a sharp-eyed beauty to the law, Ian can’t help but feel he may still have something left to lose.

Orphaned at twelve, Maggie Freeman has always found her way out of trouble. But now there’s a vigilante mob at her back who would like nothing more than to see her hang for a crime she didn’t commit. Maggie may have to accept help for the first time in her life . . . even if it’s from the one man standing between her and freedom.

As the past closes in, the sassy prisoner and toughened lawman may just find a passion between them that could bring blinding happiness . . . if they’ll let it.

What Makes It Unusual:  Western baby!  Western!  YeeHaw!

Fortune's Son by Emery Lee

What You Need To Know: Publication date November 1, 2011

Description:

Love is the ultimate gamble…

Seasoned gambler Philip Drake knows every trick and uses most of them. After years of infamy, he’s ready to accept the mantle of respectability with his earldom— until a devastating racing loss and the threat of debtors’ prison force Philip right back into his gaming ways…

Susannah, Lady Messingham, is a woman with a past who refuses to belong to any man again. But Philip’s skill catches her eye and she persuades him to teach her how to win at the tables. Their new partnership turns into an exhilarating high-stakes game that entangles them in terrifying risk and unimaginable rewards....

What Makes It Unusual:  Georgian-era England (oh, and the gambling thing....)

• This is just a small sampling of upcoming and recently released titles. Have you read any promising unusual historicals of late?

The Month That Was August 2011

Lemon Drop: Auntie Wendy, you're finally here!  I was beginning to think you forgot all about me this month.

Me: I know sweetie.  Your Auntie Wendy has had kind of a crazy month.  We had to fly across the country for Uncle My Man's sister's wedding, and then there's work, and then there's getting caught up.....::sigh::

Lemon Drop:  Ooooh, a wedding!  Rubber chicken, cheesey line dancing, but cake!  Pretty dresses!  And champagne!  Which I hear is pretty tasty even if Mommy says I'm not allowed to try it until I'm 45.

Me: Yeah, that about covers it.  Although honestly, the food was quite tasty.  Anywho, how about we catch you up on what I read last month?  There's a little something for every romance reader on this list - everything from very naughty to very nice.

Title links will take you to full reviews.

Obsessed: Erotic Romance For Women edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel - Erotic anthology, Cleis Press, 2011, Grade = B

• A super quick anthology of erotic short stories.  The "romance" label is kind of a stretch in some cases, but all stories do end on a positive note.  Solid stuff, with only one real dud in the bunch for me.

Marrying Miss Marshal by Lacey Williams - Inspirational historical western romance, Love Inspired Historical, 2011, Grade = B

• A really solid debut novel about a widowed heroine who finds herself being named town marshal in late 19th century Wyoming.  A well-told story featuring interesting characters against a well-done western back-drop.  Also, very light on The God Stuff.  Worth a look for inspirational and western fans alike.  Says me.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Private Detective Hero, Widowed Heroine, One Murdered Ex, One Dead Woman Who Still Haunts Hero

Beyond Desire by Thea Devine - Historical romance, Zebra, 1993, Grade = C

• I went for Guilty Pleasure for last month's TBR Challenge.  Vintage Devine, right down to the writing quirks, Sexy Times, Jerkface Hero and a sneaky heroine who knows a thing or two about keeping secrets. 

Pampered To Death by Laura Levine -  Cozy mystery, Kensington, 2011, Grade = C (sorry, no full review)

• Latest entry in one of my favorite cozy mystery series.  Jaine Austen (no relation) gets gifted with a visit to a "posh" local spa, only to find herself in Fat Camp Hell.  Sadly, this one fell flat for me.  All of the humor revolved around Jaine's deprivation from junk food and the spa's terrible healthy menu.  After a while enough was enough and I'm beginning to suspect that Jaine has an eating disorder.  This makes me sad, because I really love this series.  Oh well, better luck next time.

How to Lasso A Cowboy by Christine Wenger - Contemporary romance, Harlequin Special Edition, 2011, Grade = D-

• A major dud of a read that features some of my favorite tropes.  A heroine with Split Personality Disorder, along with a hero and secondary character who are card-carrying morons.  Blah.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Friends To Lovers, Rodeo Star Hero, One Protective Older Brother, One Kidlet

The Heart Of A Hero by Barbara Wallace - Contemporary romance, Harlequin Romance, 2011, Grade = B+

• Heroine moves into run-down family summer home to lick her wounds after divorce.  Her neighbor, our hero, is the PTSD-suffering war veteran who just wants to be left alone, but finds himself sucked into her orbit when she hires him as a handyman.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Wounded Military Hero, Heroine Done Wrong, One Slimy Ex, One Cute Doggy

 Taking Her Boss by Alegra Verde - Contemporary erotic digital short story, Spice Briefs, 2011, Grade = B-

• Personal assistant heroine enters into affair with her boss who likes to be dominated.  Intriguing story with some dicey elements.  I'm hoping it's the first entry in an on-going saga....  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Domme Heroine, Submissive Hero, Office Shenanigans

To Touch The Knight by Lindsey Townsend - Medieval historical romance, Zebra, 2011, Grade = C

• Masquerading heroine finds her past coming back to haunt her when she runs up against the knight hero competing in a local tournament.  A slower paced story featuring characters with truth-telling and trust issues. 

Breaking the Ties That Bind by Gwynne Forster - Contemporary women's fiction, Kensington, 2011, Grade = C- (review is forthcoming)

• Story of a young woman with big dreams who is constantly held back by her demanding, screw-up of a mother.  I found a lot of the main characters a bit too goody-goody, but got sucked in by The Mean Mama.  Whoa doggie, is that woman ever a serious piece of work.

Gunning For Trouble by HelenKay Dimon - Romantic suspense, Harlequin Intrigue, Part of series, 2011, Grade = B-

• Medical guy for a supah-secret quasi-government organization finds himself face-to-face with the heroine, his former lover and boss.  Uh, the boss who fired him from his last job.  And did I mention there are hired goons trying to kill her?  Solid story, action-packed, but lots o' bickering.  Harlequin Cheat Sheet: Hero Done Wrong, Heroine In Peril, Conspiracy!, Series-Baitin' Hotties

Lemon Drop: Wow, that's some serious reading Auntie Wendy.  No wonder you've been neglecting me.  Mind you, not that you're totally off the hook yet.  You can't keep me waiting this long.  And for that matter, you can't keep The Lemon Drop Fan Club waiting until the end of the month.  It's cruel.  Truly.

Me: I suppose I'm to change the name of this blog to The Misadventures of Lemon Drop's Press Secretary?

Lemon Drop: Hey, now you're talking!

Me: ::headdesk::

TBR Challenge 2011: Princess Forever

The Book: Princess Forever by Meg Cabot

The Particulars: Contemporary Young Adult, final book in series (#10), 2009, in print

Why Was It In Wendy's TBR?:  I read very little YA (good Lord, not enough hours in the day!) but I have been hooked on this series from the beginning (for the record: nothing like the Disney movies).  When Lil' Sis moved to California....oh 2 years ago - she bought a copy of this to read on the plane and promptly gave it to me to read.  Uh, which I've done.  Finally.  Two years later.  Seriously, I suck.

The Review:  So for those of you who know nothing about this series, it follows seemingly average New York City teenager, Mia Thermopolis, who one day, during her freshman year of high school, finds out her dad is a prince to a tiny (fictional) European country.  Thereby, making her a princess.  This 10th, and final book, in the series takes place on the cusp of Mia's high school graduation.  She's worried about finals, the extravagant 18th birthday party her grandmother is planning for her, oh, and the fact that her boyfriend of two-years, J.P.Reynolds-Abernathy IV, hasn't asked her to prom yet. 

On top of all this, her Dad is having problems back in Genovia (uh, which are sort of Mia's doing) and her ex-boyfriend, Michael Moscovitz, is back in New York after two years in Japan, where he has been working on a robotic surgical arm that has now made him a gazillionaire.  The problem?  Mia is still hung-up on Michael, even as she's trying to convince herself that she HAS a boyfriend.  A boyfriend who loves her.  He does, doesn't he?

When I first heard that this was going to be the last book in the series, I was a little bereft.  There have been highs (the first four books) and lows (the less said about Party Princess the better), but it's been a lovely, charming series that has featured many laugh-out-loud moments.  However after reading this book, I've realized that Meg Cabot is way smarter than I am.  She made the right choice ending this series now.  She really has.  Part of the reason is that what made Mia charming as a teenager (she's what I call Teenage Dense, but in a sweet way), could get annoying in anyone over the age of 18.  So best to wrap up the series now, give Mia her happy ending, and let those fond memories carry readers off into the sunset.

Speaking of happy endings, I also think this was Cabot's way of writing a love letter to the romance genre.  It's actually very sweet.  For her senior project, Mia has been telling everyone that she's writing a thesis on Genovian olive oil presses.  In actuality?  She wrote a 400 page romance novel (which Cabot got published, Ransom of My Heart).  She's hidden this fact from everyone, even her BFF, Tina Hakim-Baba, who is obsessed with all things romance.  Seriously, I love Tina.  LOVE HER!  Anywho, this book also details Mia's attempts to get her book published, and the reaction of people around her when they found out she ::gasp:: wrote a romance novel.

While I did feel at times that this book was a bit padded (it clocks in at almost 400 pages), it's a lovely send off to a series that I've really enjoyed.  It ends the way I (and I suspect many fans) want it to end.  It leaves me with the feeling that even if she is only 18, that Mia is going to be alright.  She's gotten her happy ending, and even if she will always be a little clueless, she'll always continue to make the right decisions and choices in the end.

Final Grade = B+

The Dragon And The Pearl

OK, so I never have gotten around to reading Jeannie Lin's debut novel, Butterfly Swords.  Despite the fact that I was really excited about it.  Despite the fact that I have the darn thing loaded on my e-reader as I type this.  I tend to suck like that.

However, this bit of slacking on my part (story of my life!), did not deter me from reading her second book, The Dragon And The Pearl - a follow-up to Butterfly Swords.  The good news is that this book stands alone very well.  The bad news?  I really wanted to love it, and that didn't quite happen.

Ling Suyin is the former Emperor's consort.  Her beauty is legendary, with her name being known far and wide - however that notoriety offers little protection.  When the Emperor dies, she flees to a small home by the river, which is where the feared warlord, Li Tao, finds her.  She thinks he's her executioner.  While Li Tao does show up on her doorstep with abduction in mind, it is with the goal of protecting her.  He's gotten word that she is in danger, and that it would be in his best interests to make sure no harm comes to her.

This story is set in 8th century China, a time period that I would wager more than a few romance readers aren't terribly familiar with.  The author excels at painting her back-drop, and evoking a setting that even the most unfamiliar of readers will feel "at home" in.  This is a very uncertain time period in Chinese history, with civil unrest looming, and the threat of war on the horizon.  Li Tao wants to keep the peace, but his way of doing so is seen as treasonous by the Emperor.  These uncertain times lead to characters who aren't immediately transparent to each other.  Frankly, secrets were a means of staying alive, as well as getting yourself killed.  Naturally both hero and heroine have their secrets, and trust is not an easy commodity to come by.  Trusting the wrong person could very well get you killed.

For this reason, this story works better for me as "historical fiction" more so than "historical romance."  I understood why these characters kept secrets from each other.  I understood why they weren't totally honest and open with each other for a long stretch of time - but that said, I still have that niggle in the back of my brain.  That niggle that says, "Will they ever totally trust each other?"  That's how uncertain the historical back-drop of the story left me, and how well the author paints the obstacles that these two people will have to overcome.  Those niggling doubts over the trust issue ultimately left me wondering, "Yeah, but do they truly love each other?"  Sure there's passion and the sex is hot - but is that enough? 

The story hums along at a leisurely clip until the ending, which seemed rather rushed to me.  The author literally has a lot to wrap up, and some of the developments later on in the story made my head swim.  There's also the small matter that I'm not sure how "resolved" the conflict truly is.  For readers who like everything neat, tidy, puppy dogs and rainbows at the end?  You're not going to get that with this book.  You just aren't.  The time period is too unsettled.  So unless the author were to completely throw out the historical baby with the historical bath water?  This couple isn't skipping off into the bamboo forest together holding hands while happy pandas dance around them.  Does it end "happily?"  Yes.  Our couple is together.  But will there continue to be obstacles on the horizon?  Most assuredly.

This all being said, this is a well-written and well-told story.  I fell right into it.  Even with being as unfamiliar as I am with this era of Chinese history, the author does an excellent job of evoking the setting, while avoiding spoon-feeding or info-dumping.  The love scenes are well-done, and the author (thank the good Lord!) avoids the laughable purple prose that I've seen crop up in other books featuring Asian characters (in other words, no "jade stalk").  I liked that Ling was, in some respects, a jaded personality - given as she spent much of her young life surviving palace intrigue.  I also liked how Li Tao was this mix of villain and hero - stuck with navigating a political nightmare while keeping those around him safe.  Falling in love with Ling brings more complications, even if he doesn't want to admit, at first, that what he feels for her is love.

I'm torn when it comes to grading this book.  I'm going to slap it with a C, given my reservations about the romance and the rushed ending.  But if I'm honest, which I usually am, this wasn't an average C read for me.  It's better than that, but not enough for me to entirely overlook those issues I did have.  Certainly it's always up to the review reader to decide, but my gut tells me that if you're looking for a "different" historical?  This one isn't a bad way to go.

Final Grade = C+

Sidenote: Kudos to the Harlequin art department.  A cover that actually "fits" the story, right down to the tattoo.

Impeccable Timing As Always

Preach it Papa Grande, preach it!

Yes, the hiatus is over.  The reason for said hiatus is because My Man's baby sister got married last weekend, and we spent the entire week in New York.  Whenever I mention that we're visiting the in-laws in "New York," I generally clarify it with "not New York City."  People who don't "know" New York seem to think it's all "the City."  Um, no.  I was in the country.  Farm country.  And when I wasn't looking at a corn field, I was hiding out in the woods.  To give you some idea of the rustic nature of this trip - My Man's parents don't have cable TV.  Not because they don't want it - because literally cable TV isn't available for them.  They haven't run cable up to their "neighborhood." 

Yes, these places apparently do still exist on Earth. 

Needless to say, that also meant no Internet.  Hey, no problem.  Sure I got the shakes by Monday, but I also got quite a bit of reading done (reviews forthcoming).  My Sony Reader is jammed, I've over-extended myself (again) - surely I can live without the Internet and cable TV for a few measly days.  Right?  Right?

Now since this is generally a romance novel related blog - I'm sure you're all wondering about the wedding.  Yes, it was lovely.  Yes, My Man's sister looked beautiful and she married a really nice guy.  Yes, when she shared a dance with her big brother (My Man), I was a total sap and cried.  There, I said it. 

Blah, blah, blah.

But lest we think Wendy has totally run off the rails, let us remember that I blog because It's All About Me.  And what happened while I was away - with no Internet binky and no cable TV?  Yeah....

My Detroit Tigers went on a 12-game winning streak!

None of the games were televised (I was in Yankee country, although a small rogue band of Blue Jays fans  lurks in the area), no highlights on the Internet or even ESPN.  None.  All I had were box scores in the local paper!  ARGHHHHH!  Seriously, it was like being thrust back to....the 1970s.  ::shudder::  Before cable TV.  Before ESPN.  Before the Internet.  ARGHHHHHH!

Now this might not seem like a big deal to...oh, normal people.  But the last time my Tigers won 12 games in a row?  Yeah, 1934.  And what has my team done during the second half over the last several years?  Yeah, swoon.  They've sucked so bad in the second half that in 2006 they coughed up the AL Central Division title and went to the playoffs as the wild card.  And I can't even think about 2009 when we had to play a flippin' tie-breaker game only to lose to the Twins in extra innings.

On the bright side, they're playing in Oakland this weekend, which means - late games.  Which means, once our plane landed and we ran the gauntlet of Friday evening rush hour traffic, I got to watch them clinch the AL Central Division (Playoffs baby!  Playoffs!).  I also got to watch my curmudgeonly old goat of a manager cry on TV.  Which is about when I stopped watching the celebration.  Seriously, grown men crying.  Harder for me to take than watching My Man dance with his baby sister at her wedding.....

Reminder: TBR Challenge For September 2011

For those of you participating in the 2011 TBR Challenge, a reminder that your commentary is "due" on Wednesday, September 21. 

This month's theme is Series Catch-up.  In other words, a book that is part of a series that you are "behind on."  This should be an easy one, since every flippin' book is part of a series these days.  That being said, remember, the themes are completely and totally optional.  If you've hit series overload, or there's nothing lying around in your TBR that fits (ha!), 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.

Temporary Hiatus Time

I know this blog hasn't exactly been a hotbed of scintillating fodder of late, mostly because I seem to have misplaced my blogging mojo.  Hey, it's alright.  It'll come back.  One thing I've learned in the past 8 years of blogging (besides the fact that I have no life), is that if you hang on by your fingernails, sooner or later the mojo shall return!

Normally a hiatus would not be a welcome thing for me, but the timing seems halfway decent for once.  Maybe once I get done dealing with The Terror, Ye Olde Mojo will have returned with a vengeance?

What is this Terror of which I speak?  Two words that will surely strike fear in even the most pure of souls.  Two words that leave mild-mannered librarians longing for sanctuary, and superhero alter-egos quaking in their thigh-high boots.  Two words that haunt little children in their sleep and have burly football linemen crying uncle.

I am, of course, talking about a.....

Family wedding.

Am I the only one who thinks elopements are highly underrated?  Just sayin'.

But anywho, with all the various goo-ga going on - I'll be unplugging for the week.  We'll resume with, hopefully, our regular mojo-rific activities next Friday....with a TBR Challenge Reminder post.  Consider yourselves warned.

The Heart Of A Hero

Not every book I read is a winner, but sometimes there's enough on the page to entice me to add an author to my "try again" list.  Earlier this year I reviewed Beauty And The Brooding Boss by Barbara Wallace over at The Good, The Bad And The Unread.  I had a mixed reaction.  I had my issues with it, but it wasn't an outright stinker.  So when I was approached about reviewing the author's next book, The Heart of a Hero - I jumped all over it.  I'm glad I did.

Zoe Hamilton has moved into her family's rundown island cottage off the coast of Massachusetts to get over a nasty divorce.  She learned the hard way that her wannabe golf pro ex was only interested in her money.  A syndicated advice columnist, to say Zoe's doubting her judgment is an understatement.  The tiny island community holds fond childhood memories for her, so escaping there seems the perfect solution.  Well, until she meets her surly next door neighbor at any rate.

Jake Meyers is ex-military and has hidden himself away on the island out of guilt.  Suffering from combat trauma and PTSD, living in a cottage next to a rental property was the ideal situation for him.  Vacationers tend to offer a wave and a smile, and then leave you the heck alone.  So having Zoe and her obnoxious dachshund next door (why won't that dog stay in his own freakin' yard?), is not welcome at all.  But dang it all if she doesn't worm her way under his skin.  Especially when she comes sniffing around looking for a handyman, and wouldn't you know he's the only one (literally) on the island?

There were so many elements to this story that really worked for me.  Admittedly, I'm a sucker for a wounded hero, and Jake's trauma leapt off the page for me.  I know PTSD ex-military heroes aren't exactly rare in Romance Novel Land, but what I really liked here is that the author doesn't give the reader pat solutions to Jake's issues.  In other words, the love of a good woman does not miraculously "cure" him.  Meeting Zoe, and later developing a relationship with her, does not stop his nightmares.  His flashbacks don't suddenly evaporate into thin air. 

I liked that Zoe was unsure of herself after her divorce, but also that she was tenacious.  Her main stumbling block is that she loves to be "needed."  And because of this, she married a man who took advantage of her, who was only interested in what she could do for him.  Jake is a puzzle she's intrigued by, and dang if she doesn't want to solve him.  Is she pushy?  Yes.  Is that exactly what Jake needs?  Yes.  I loved that she didn't tap-dance around him.  I loved that she didn't let him wallow.  I loved that she confronted him.  Oh man, does she ever confront him! 

The author does a very lovely job with the setting and even offers up a secondary character in the form of Zoe's canine companion Reynaldo.  I would have liked more of a mention of Jake's family, and even with this being the "just kisses" Harlequin Romance line - I think I would have liked a love scene here, even a PG-rated one, to illustrate Jake being ready to take that plunge into emotional investment.  But still, it's a lovely read, with some lovely, quiet moments punctuated with emotional intensity.

Final Grade = B+

You Had Your Time, Now Go Away

On a certain level, I totally get why publishers and authors push connected books.  It allows the author to tinker around, create an entire world, revisit themes and characters.  There's also the added bonus that if a series "hits" with the reading public that it's a bit like picking the right numbers on a lottery ticket.  If you can suck readers in with a series, a good many of us will ride with you until the wheels fall off.  A lot of us try to deny it, but really - a lot of us are creatures of habit. 

However, I think I may have hit a wall when it comes to romance series.  At least a temporary one.

Now, it's entirely possible that my mind isn't "right" at the moment (no comment from the peanut gallery).  Real Life has been....uh colorful of late.  I've been whining.  I've been depressed.  I've been bothered by the fact that I was put in a situation where I didn't know what was going on or how it would directly effect me.  I knew it would effect me - but how?  Yeah, Wendy doesn't do well with "not knowing."  I don't like it.  Again, I'm a major creature of habit - so when you disrupt my rut, and then don't give me new marching orders in a timely fashion?

Wendy meet wall.  Wall meet Wendy. 

Even though I try to not let things like this effect my reading, it inevitably does.  Now the good news is that I generally know when I'm being irrational.  In other words - I know it's "me" and not "you."  I still have the ability to register when a theme/concept is done "not so good" in one book by one author, and "wow, that was kinda fun!" in another book by another author.

Which is where I'm coming in with connected series books (you just have to give me enough time, I got back to it!).  One problem that series have in the Romance World is that the required "happy ending" limits you to a certain extent.  Readers like the couple to ride off into the sunset together.  Now intellectually readers know that no relationship is perfect.  Couples can be madly in love with each other and fight.  They can have arguments about money, the kids, the fact that the hero leaves his dirty socks on the floor.  Here's the thing though:

Most of us don't want to read about it.

So authors let their characters ride off into the sunset, and with following books they pair up new couples in the same world.  However, readers and authors cannot seem to help themselves.  They need to bring back those past couples in future books.  Typically, some readers like seeing them again.

Me?  Yeah, not so much.

Here's the thing, I've moved on.  Dear Hero A and Heroine B, you have had your moment in the sun.  You have had your time in the spotlight.  Now go away.  Sincerely, Wendy.

Now it used to be that I didn't mind past couples showing up, especially if them being "on page" was somehow important to the new story at hand.  They had to play an important role to the new romance.  Then it was OK.  If they just showed up on page to pose, posture, and act sickeningly sweet lovey-dovey - yeah, get the heck off the page.  You're wasting my time and giving me a toothache.  And don't get me started on characters who show up just to sequel-bait.  Hi, I'm Sexy Interchangeable Navy SEAL #49.  I'm going to get my own book in December 2029.  You shall read me.  You shall love me.  Here, look at my massive, manly pecs.

Blah.

The reason I suspect I may have hit a wall with romance series is that even now past couples who are playing an important roll in the story at hand are starting to crawl under my skin a little bit.  I haven't hit the loathing their existence point yet, but they're starting to irritate.  Sort of like a mosquito bite that you just can't leave alone.  You. Must. Scratch. It.

But the good news is that I suspect I'm being unreasonable.  And I'm a big enough person to admit that.  I think Real Life has bled into my reading too much.  So yeah, it's me - not you.  The good news is that Wendy got those new marching orders recently, so I can start digging the beginnings of a new rut.

What about you?  Have you hit a wall on connected books?