Unfinished-Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge (Read a book by an author you've "given up" on-call it one more try)

Well, I know I'll be in the minority for not "getting" her books, but I tried Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow-quit it after about 60 pages in, and multiple times of falling asleep while trying to read it. I also didn't like her Dante Valentine series so I think I just moved her books to my "skip" list. Fortunately I've found all my previous purchases at the library tag sales so I didn't lose money on them.

While I like "kick butt heroines" as much as the next girl-it can't just be about kicking butt with no character development. Her heroines just seem one dimensional-all action with no getting into their emotional back story.

Kiss of Darkness by Sharon Brondos

Currently Reading.

Kiss of Darkness

Sharon Brondos

Silhouette Shadows #32

1994

Read For:

A to Z Challenge

Harlequin Silhouette Reading Challenge

Fall Reading Challenge

Synopsis:

The dark dilemma

Adrian Smith's latest orders tore at a conscience that shouldn't exist, pricked a heart that was his curse. But he'd made his deal with Death centuries ago, and now he had to do Its bidding. He would kill the scientist who was on the brink of prolonging human life; then he would return to his own private hell...

Adrian had expected his prey to be an old man whose time was near, but instead, he found himself preparing to harm a beautiful young woman, bursting with life. Yet Adrian could no sooner murder Sue Cooper than he could hope to fight Death and Its agents of evil when they came to do the job themselves...

My Review:

Kiss of Darkness was fairly good if a bit overly dramatic Vampire Romance. The author did have an unusual approach to your typical Vampire story but there was a bit too much weakness in the heroine, and machismo in the hero to rate it at 3 stars or more. It was too high strung and "Gothic" to take at all seriously. The love scenes were bland and "purple prose"-which those who dislike any discription in love scenes might like,though I did not. The scenes kind of reminded me of an old 50's love story where the love scene shows some silly, flowery symbolic stuff during the "act" then returns to the couple in bed smoking-LOL.

Enjoyable but forgettable.

2.5 stars.

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

Read For:

ROR Fall Reading Challenge

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris has re-imagined the supernatural world with her "spunky" (Tampa Tribune) Southern Vampire novels starring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Now, for the first time, here is every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written-together in one volume.

Stories include "Fairy Dust," "One Word Answer," "Dracula Night," "Lucky," and "Giftwrap."

My Review:

For the most part, the five stories were excellant as usual, though I did not care for what happens in "Giftwrap" but I don't really care for how the "fairy family" story thread has progressed in the books either, so I'm not surprised.

Of the five, "Dracula Night" was the best as we get to see a whole new side of Eric:)

4 stars.

Falconer's Hall by Jacquelyn Aeby

Falconer's Hall

Jacquelyn Aeby

Candlelight Regency Series #193

1976

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

RYOB Challenge

A Thousand Regency Challenge

Synopsis:

Young Eleanor was a friendless orphan one moment, and in the next, she was a glittering heiress mistress of Falconer's Hall torn between two very different men!

My Review:

A fairly good vintage Regency, very much "old school". The heroine, Eleanor, was raised by the Falconer family after her parents are killed in a carriage accident. But in her 22nd year, the Falconer patriarch, the matriarch, and Charles, the son Eleanor was to marry all die (though Charles was presumed dead in the battle of Waterloo). So Eleanor plans to take the packet ship back from Belgium to England as her funds are gone and having no family she hopes to find a position as Governess or companion. Before her trip, she is begged by an elderly man, who is dying, to chaperone his granddaughter Annabella back to England to meet the family she never knew at Gavinoaks.

When they arrive she meets the hero, Robert Gavin, the Earl on Penbury-your typical arrogant town gentleman who is grudingly enlisted to help with his newfound niece Annabella and is shocked when his mother, who knew Eleanor's mother, asks her to stay and help as well. In the meantime, Eleanor learns that since there is no family left, the Falconer's left Falconer Hall and estates to her-going from penniless to an heiress in one fell swop.

Falconer Hall was a bit over dramatic and was a old timey Regency that falls into the idea that the heroine is so "thankful"to have the Earl take all her cares from her in relation to running Falconer Hall-because all woman just dream of having a big strong man to take over all the worries for them, right? LOL. Oh well, it was written in 1976 and it shows:) But in a way, the high drama and sexism is kind of charming in a "thank God we don't think that way anymore" nostalgia.

In all, a quick, campy Regency read with at the very least a beautiful cover:)

3 stars.

Stolen Dreams by Catherine Lyndell

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Synopsis:

Raised in a perilous world of thieves and rogues, Gillie lived by her wiles and fiercely guarded her virtue. Then the delicate beauty encountered the handsome and gallant Baron Kinsale. When she boldly freed the rugged Scotsman from a band of cutthroats, she knew she would risk everything to possess him. Yet this wild sweet waif, this unpolished pearl, was still a lass...and Kinsale dared not yield to his desire. Instead he made her his ward, and sent her off to be schooled in the gentle arts and graces thus far denied her. Soon Gillie flourished into a ravishing woman, aching for a love to long forsaken. And Kinsale, unhappily pledged to another, swore at last to make her his own. Menaced by a deadly betrayal, they would test the power of their bond...and fight to claim the wondrous pleasure of their passion, forever!

My Review:

Very "old school"-lot's of adventure, very "alpha" men, lot's of villains,"wrong side of the tracks" storyline.Set in Georgian era. Great, strong heroine. All in all, pretty good, though the love scenes were surprisingly lukewarm for a "bodice ripper". So I gave it 3 stars.

Unfinished-One Foot In The Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

Synopsis:

You can run from the grave, but you can't hide . . .

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won't let her get away again.

My Review:

I read (sorta) One Foot In The Grave by Jeaniene Frost. I liked book one: Halfway To The Grave, but I quit this one about 210 pages in. The author , in my opinion, has the characters do a 360 attitude change that was very offputting. And without spoiling the storyline, when the hero offers to do something very immoral for the government in order to keep the Gov. appeased into keeping Cat safe-it just ruined the series for me. Sorry but I quit this one-3 stars for what I read up till then.

The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

A to Z Challenge

RYOB Challenge

2nds Challenge

Synopsis:

For a large portion of Georgette Heyer's great public, The Quiet Gentleman will be one (if not the) favourite of her Regency novels. It is more intimately a family affair than any of her previous books. There is plenty of drama in it: in fact there is a series of those nearly fatal accidents that look very like attempted murder. Trip a horse, and you may kill its rider. An old bridge may well collapse, but why was no warning of its state announced?

Gervase Frant, Seventh Earl of St. Erth, who returns rather belatedly from Waterloo to his family seat of Stanyon, in Lincolnshire, arrives to find himself welcomed only by his cousin Theo, a gentleman as quite as himself; and encounters from his stepmother and his young half-brother hostility, and an open regret that he survived the wars.

However, he sails past all the dangers that await him with the smiling imperturbability to be expected of a Heyer hero.

There are of course all the charming airs and graces of the period, and plenty of romance, in the course of which the Cincerella theme delightfully triumphs. Finally, it will generally be agreed that Miss Heyer could not have given her readers a fuller measure of good things

My Review:

Another excellent Heyer Regency. I enjoyed the fact that Gervase is a bit of a self acknowledged "dandy" and that Drusilla was a "plain Jane" though quick witted and sensible heroine. The book is more mystery than anything else. Like The Corinthian, I could have stood more romance but it was enjoyable nonetheless. Heyer's Regencies seem more a love affair of the period than anything else. Her knowledge of Regency era is outstanding and daunting all at the same time-especially her use of thieve's cant as well as the cant used by the "up and comers" as well.

4 stars!

The Irish Earl by Patricia Bray

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Synopsis:

A CONVENIENT ARRANGEMENT
Rich and beautiful, Lady Felicity Winterbourne has traveled the world. Now all she wants is a home of her own. And while there are many gentlemen eager to oblige her, she knows that their ardor has more to do with her lavish dowry than true affection. Then she meets Gerald FitzDesmond, Earl of Kilgarvan, whose tales of his ramshackle Irish estate seize her imagination. Felicity abandons decorum and proposes a marriage of convenience--with the proviso, lest Gerald prove a fortune-hunter--that she hold the purse strings! His dark looks and roguish charm, however, soon complicate her most practical action with the dizziest of desires.
AN UNEXPECTED ROMANCE
The Earl is passionate about one thing only--the estate he must rescue from inherited debt. It's a mystery why this reckless, though fetching, daughter of a Duke should want him! Nonetheless he needs a wealthy wife, posthaste, and doubtless Felicity will be content to reside in London. Instead, what the Earl finds on his hands is a bride who will settle for nothing but the mountains and mud of the Emerald Isle...and his own awakening heart!

My Review:

Pretty good Regency. Overall, a satisfying "down to Earth" Romance. In this story it's the heroine who is wealthy and the hero is poor. Marriage of Convenience storyline. Could have had more romance and less disagreements, but still enjoyable if you're looking for a Regency that deals more with everyday life than routs and balls. Half the story is in London and half is "back home" at the Earl's estate in Ireland. 3.5 stars.

The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Synopsis:

THE RUNAWAY

Behind lovely Penelope Creed was the lavish life of a brilliant London heiress, and a proposed marriage to a man she loathed.

Ahead, tantalizing, was the shimmering dream of a love she had known once--and lost.

And with her in flight across a landscape of excitement was a man like no other she had known--the handsome, cynical, sophisticated Sir Richard Wyndham. They had met by accident, been drawn together by danger. And now only his masked emotions and the shifting impulses of her own wild young heart would tell what their destiny would be...

My Review:

This was my first Georgette Heyer and definitely not my last. I can see why she's considered the "Grand Dame" of Regency Romances. The Corinthian is a comedy/action storyline with the now classic "girl passes herself off as a boy" storyline. But this time the hero knows she is a woman from the start and goes along with the ruse, as the heroine is running from a forced marriage to her cousin, and with the disguise the hero can escort her across country without a abigail in tow.

Heyer's writing is very humorous as well as slyly scathing towards the hypocrisy of the ton. I wish there was more romance between the leads but their comical interaction more than makes up for it. This story was also enjoyable as the vast majority takes place as the couple travels from inn to inn, unlike most Regencies that dwell in the glitz and glamour of routs and balls.

4.5 stars.

Remember Me by Danice Allen

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

RYOB Challenge

1st In A Series Challenge

Synopsis:

An Unforgettable Affair

Daring Amanda Darlington is on a clandestine rescue mission when a drunken swell stumbles into the path of her onrushing carriage. Though he could be a rogue, wastrel or dangerous scoundrel, the high principled miss feels duty bound to nurse the unconscious gentleman back to health-- especially when the handsome stranger awakens with no memory of his identity.

An angelic vision greets him when first he opens his eyes--a warm and caring young beauty who arouses a passionate fire. But Jackson Montgomery's abruptly returning memory revives shattering secrets that could destroy a blossoming love before it blooms. And only through feigned amnesia can Jack win gentle Amanda's heart for all time--though there are dangers in his brazen charade...

My Review:

The story begins when the heroine, Amanda, receives a letter that was supposed to have been given to her six months before at her parents death. In the letter she learns that her uptight and morally stuck up parents hid another child, born from her father's extramarital affair. The letter tells how the child was kept in a faraway town by a hired housekeeper on a small stipend. When Amanda learns of this she races off to find the child, without any abigail or relation, to try to discreetly bring the child back without a scandal. On the road her carriage almost runs over a man unconscious in the road, whom from his clothing is obviously a gentleman. Amanda brings him back to a inn, nurses him back to consciousness, but has a bigger dilemma when he wakes with no memory of who he is.

That begins a fast paced, Romantic and passionate story. The hero is a likable though flawed lead, a playboy and heavy partier (kinda reminded me of Jack Sparrow). The heroine is a sweet, self sufficient woman of 25, considered "on the shelf" after one failed season and her parents rigid upbringing. The secondary characters in the book are as enjoyable as the leads-especially Amanda two spinster Aunts and Jack's brother Julian, who has his own story in the second book, The Perfect Gentleman.

4 stars.

The Last Vampire by Patricia Rosemoor &Marc Paoletti

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

RYOB Challenge

1st In A Series Challenge

Chick Porn Reading Challenge

Synopsis:

Spawned of alchemy and blood, he was the last of a brutal, ancient line. Now he has just been reborn.

Deep in a Texas cave, the military unearths a five-hundred-year-old corpse, its desiccated flesh teeming with mysterious DNA that can transform mortals into beings of unimaginable power.

Captain Scott Boulder, leader of a Black Ops unit that has been endowed with these superhuman abilities, is among the first to benefit from the find. But when, with the help of a voodoo priestess, the creature is conjured to life, unleashing an ancient evil bent on reinstating its poisonous kind on earth, Scott knows he must return the monster to the grave. But this is no ordinary vampire. Once a brutal torturer in the Spanish Inquisition, it can bend the laws of science and magic in horrifying new ways.

Powerless to fight this evil alone, Scott grudgingly seeks the aid of reclusive anthropologist Leah Maguire, an expert in the mystical rituals of the past. To keep humanity from entering a new Dark Age, Scott and Leah will battle unspeakable horrors and will sacrifice everything they hold dear–perhaps even their own humanity -- to destroy the last vampire.

My Review:

A pretty good Urban Fantasy/Horror Light/Paranormal Romance. In this book Vampires are not your typical "sexy, misunderstood" characters but are vile and evil creatures who love to kill. The heroine, Leah, is a sort of "anthopoligist/good witch" who is kinda a female Van Helsing. She's devoted her life's work to fighting against Vampires after a creature she believes to be a Vampire kills several of her family members as a child. The hero, Scott, is part of a Government military "Special Ops" type unit that is experimenting with creating a group of "supermen" from the DNA of a mummy the Government found in a Texas cave. Really bad idea as the mummy is actually a unawakened super powerful Vampire that by taking him from the cave, they now awaken him.

The action was a B+, the characters about a C+ (Leah was a little weak but she will hopefully improve in book 2) and the Romance was a C-. Don't read The Last Vampire if your looking for typical Paranormal Romance, as the romance is only a secondary issue. Do read this book is you like action and horror with a little romance thrown in.

Note: While the love scenes between the hero and heroine are pretty tame=PG, there are sex scenes with a secondary female character that are pretty raunchy and graphic, like NC 17. So a heads up if you don't like graphic books.

3.5 stars.

Untouched Mistress by Margaret McPhee

Read For:

ROR Fall Reading Challenge

RYOB Challenge

A To Z Challenge

Read Your Name Challenge

Synopsis:

Guy Tregellas, Viscount Varington, has a rakish reputation, and when he discovers a beautiful woman washed up on a beach he is more than intrigued. He doesn't believe her claims that she is a respectable widow and is determined to seduce the truth out of her! Helena McGregor must escape Scotland to anonymity in London. For the past five years she has lived a shameful life, not of her choosing. But she needs the help of her disturbingly handsome rescuer as danger catches up with them…

My Review:

A wonderful fast, Regency Romance. In this semi sequal to the author's The Wicked Earl, in Untouched Mistress, we have Lucien's brother Guy's story. The story begins when Guy finds a unconscious woman washed up on the beach. The woman, Helena, is terrified of something and is adament about running away and hiding in London. Guy offers to bring her and there the adventure begins.

Guy and Helena are both "tortured heros" in their own way, but refreshingly, in this case, it's Helena who has truly faced some unspeakable cruelty in her life. She fears and distrusts men, and Guy find's that even though he desires Helena, he must move slowly and in doing so, falls in love with her.

The villain in this book is really a baddie.His evilness makes for a thrilling,drama filled book. The story is more about love than passion, though there are a few love scenes. A great story about overcoming abuse too.

4 stars.

Dark Rider by Kathrynn Dennis

Read For:

ROR Fall Reading Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Synopsis:

A DARK LORD . . . Few secrets are harder to keep than witchcraft--but is the ancient knowledge the source of Lady Eldswythe's mysterious gift for healing horses? She is summoned to tend the prize steeds of the dark and solitary Sir Robert Breton, a rival of her family's house. The last thing Eldswythe wants is to be near a man her heart distrusts--and desires. His smoldering eyes could make her forget she is betrothed. And, oh! How he rides a horse...

A LADY FAIR . . . Gallantly defending her through a violent siege and a harrowing escape, Robert comes to believe in her strange powers, for he knows only too well that he has fallen under her spell. The spirited and sensual Eldswythe has bewitched his stony heart with wondrous ease . . . .

My Review:

Medieval Romance: Pretty good Historical Romance with paranormal elements to it. Not outstanding but good enough that I'll try another of the author's books. This author is a Veterinarian and so far her two books are heavily involved with horses, the heroine's are "horsewitches". So someone who is a horse fan may enjoy these more than I did. It was still very interesting though. 3 stars

Red, Red Rose by Marjorie Farrell

Read For:

ROR Fall Reading Challenge

Royal's Romance Reading Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Synopsis:

In Regency England, the conventional daughter of an army major finds herself rescued from roving bandits by a dashing officer from General Wellington's staff. But even as the officer courts the young lady, he is haunted by his status as a bastard son to the Earl of Farringdon, and considers himself unworthy of her affections. When his half-brother dies, he is overcome with grief and allows himself to find solace in her arms. Will her love inspire the necessary courage within him to claim his birthright and his place among the aristocracy?.

My Review:

a bit slow going but still entertaining. Much more of a novel about the hero, Valentine, than a Romance. Regency, but the characters are involved in the war and most of the story is set on the frontlines. The heroine is the daughter of a Major who "follows the drum" along with her mother. Medium romance and love scenes pretty tame. 3 stars.

I feel the need to add this: I was reading this book when we had to put my father in Hospice so the book may be honestly BETTER than I thought, but I was so preoccupied with the situation with my dad that I didn't enjoy the book as much as I could have.

Readers of Romance Fall Challenge 09

Fall 09 Challenge FAQ’s September 1 – November 30

A big Thanks to everyone for help in making this list!!!

THE RULES:
1. Select ANY number of books to read that fit the category.
2. Post your list on the discussion board and blog (Name’s Summer Challenge List)
3. If you need title suggestions please use the Discussion titled SUMMER TITLE SUGGESTIONS if you don't see it please search (to try and minimize number of discussions)
4. Once you have read a book please find the corresponding discussion by searching you can search by 09 Summer # and use the number that corresponds with the list. (one will be created for each number on June 1, again, to try and minimize number of discussions) and post the book and title you read and rating, and review.
5. It is not required, but if you could post your review on the blog that would be great.
6. Reviews on the blog please include labels list the rating, author, and # of challenge only.
7. Audio books are okay
8. Rereads are okay
9. You can change your list at anytime

THE CHALLENGE:

1. Read a Beta Hero-DONE-The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer-4 stars

2. Read a debut author OR an author that has LESS than 4 books published-DONE-Dark Rider by Kathrynn Dennis 3 stars

3. Read a book that was read in the Summer Challenge-DONE=Halfway To The Grave by Jeaniene Frost-3 stars

4. Read a book with an “F” word for Fall-DONE-Falconer's Hall by Jacquelyn Aeby-3 stars

5. Read a book you’ve borrowed from a friend or the library-DONE-Red, Red Rose by Marjorie Farrell-3 stars (bookcrossing book)

6. Read a book by Lori Foster
7. Read a book that less than 300 pages-DONE-The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer-4.5 stars

8. Read an author that has a pseudonym (Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor)-DONE-Remember Me by Danice Allen-4 stars

9. Read a book to catch up on a series you are reading-DONE-Untouched Mistress by Margaret McPhee-4 stars.

10. Reader’s Choice-DONE-The Last Vampire by Patricia Rosemoor/Marc Paoletti-3.5 stars.

11. Read a book set in Ireland-DONE-The Irish Earl by Patricia Bray-3.5 stars

12. Read a Romantic Suspense-DONE-Kiss Of Darkness by Sharon Brondos-2.5 stars.

13. read a book by an author you've "given up" on (call it one more try)-DONE (but unfinished@60 pages in)-Night Shift by Lilith Saintcrow-zero stars.

14. Read a book with "Dream" in the title-DONE-Stolen Dreams by Catherine Lyndell-3 stars.

15. Read a book from the backlist of an author you enjoy!-DONE-A Touch Of Dead by Charlaine Harris-4 stars