Penny Watson Author: Review

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Saturday, August 29, 2020

Review for BACKYARDS HAVE BODIES by Barbara Wallace

I love the concept of a squeaky clean and wholesome setting hiding a slew of dark secrets.

Barbara Wallace’s SADIE MCINTYRE MYSTERY series centers on the quirky townsfolk of Woodbridge, Massachusetts. But behind the mature maple trees and well-maintained colonial homes are shady secrets and messy lives.

A yummy combination!

BACKYARDS HAVE BODIES is the second installment of this series. Sadie McIntyre is the perfect cozy protagonist. A widow/real estate wanna-be saleslady, she has her finger on the pulse of this complicated little town. The mix of eccentric characters—including a former British boy band-star, amorous neighbors, hunkalicious police detective/romance interest, and hilarious obsessive crime show fan—will keep you guessing until the end about the resolution to the mystery.

The pacing is fast (just the way I like it). Sadie is adorable—a mix of vulnerable and sassy. Throw in a horror-inducing snowman, secret affairs, a competitive real estate boss, and “evidence-schmevidence” as Sadie would say, and you have a 5-star cozy all the way.

I think my favorite thing about this series is the humor. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments and clever details. Bravo, Barbara Wallace.

I highly recommend this series for cozy mystery fans. I would suggest starting with the first book, THE SUBURBS HAVE SECRETS.

There is also an intriguing twist on Sadie’s own background story that promises more exciting storylines in the future.

Grade: A

For more information about Barbara Wallace and her books, check out her website.

BACKYARDS HAVE BODIES on Amazon.

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Review for KINGDOM OF THE BLIND

Buckle up, people!

I have many, many thoughts about this book, and series in general, and Louise Penny.

In no particular order...

1. The beginning of this book is strong. As always. One of Louise Penny's strengths is her beginnings. She sucks you right into the story with the characters, the mystery, the unknown. Everything feels profound. She throws in poetry. Philosophy. Art.

Strangely, however, the familiarity of the characters/town we know actually dragged this story down. That is no longer a strong point for the series, but a detriment.

At one point, there was a scene with our familiar cast of characters, in their familiar setting, and I thought to myself..."I've read this before." It's getting redundant, and that's a bad thing. Dialogue feels recycled, character reactions feel recycled, even the twists/big reveals are things we've seen before (Gamache has a big secret...yeah, we know. HE ALWAYS HAS A BIG SECRET).

2. There are certain scenes/moments/events in this book with huge impact. The collapse of the house, the angst-filled scenes with Amelia returning to her old life. I love the whole symbolism of the house collapsing/the family collapsing. Penny did an extraordinary job bringing that symbolic event to life.

Unfortunately, these are overshadowed by many tedious scenes that dragged and ruined the pacing of the narrative. Too many scenes with financial folks, figuring out documents, etc. These bits were dull and ruined the energy and flow of this story.

3. Pacing was a problem. The flow of the story felt disjointed. Usually, I find that Penny does an excellent job blending high-action scenes with internal POV, character bits with setting and storyline. But it was pretty choppy going in this book.

4. I love fiction that blends multiple storylines. This is a trademark for the Gamache Series. Sometimes, it works very well, and sometimes it's not as successful.

The parallel storylines for this book--the Baumgartner will and the continuation of the drug storyline from the last book (GLASS HOUSES)--did not work well together, IMO. There has to be both contrast and commonality for blended storylines to work.

The mystery about the Baumgartner family started very strong, then fizzled and died.

The storyline about Amelia had its strong moments as well, but the "twist"--Gamache has a secret from everyone else--is something we've already seen in this series. That reveal was disappointing.

The "reveal" about the Baumgartners also lacked punch. It was fairly expected.

That was the biggest disappointment about this book for me...it started with a lot of energy and suspense, and it all sort of fizzled out and died by the end.

The "post-mortem" scene at the end (everyone sitting around and discussing who/how/why-dunnit) was painful. It was an uninspired way to resolve the main mystery of this book.

I do appreciate a few new characters thrown into the Three Pines world--even the promise of romance for some of our regular characters--but that is not enough to pump fresh life into this series.

5. My big assessment about The Gamache Series: This series has lost its magic. Louise Penny has not, however, lost her magical touch as a writer. She just needs to use her "powers" with a new project.

She needs a new town, new characters, maybe even try out a new genre.

She has a lot left to say, and a wonderful way to say it. But Gamache and his buddies and Three Pines have been wrung out like a wet sponge.

I got the feeling several times that Penny is writing her "default" setting with this series. I honestly feel like it's wasting her talents.

6. Most series drag on too long. There's a fine line (or not) between exploring and re-exploring the same characters/relationships, watching them change and grow. At some point, it's done.

You know a series is still working when you return to that world and it's like putting on a favorite snuggly cardigan and going along for a wonderful adventure with "friends."

I didn't get that feeling this time. My friends felt flat and almost cartoonish. The mystery became predictable and underwhelming.

Even Gamache, who is one of my all-time favorite characters, was missing something.

Overall grade for KINGDOM OF THE BLIND: Disappointed.

Here's hoping Louise Penny tries something new and different soon. I would really like to see that happen!

Signing off from Watsonville,
Penny/Nina

Monday, August 6, 2012

Review of I've Been Deader by Adam Sifre

Review of I've Been Deader by Adam Sifre

One of my biggest pet peeves EVER is when I see a movie preview, and it looks cute and funny--a comedy--and then I go to the movie and it is depressing as sh*t and I want to fling myself off a bridge. Not cool. If your movie is depressing or intense or heavy or serious, the preview should not look like a comedy. That is false advertising.

Yeah, I know why people do this. To get folks to go see the freakin' movie. If folks thought the film was so depressing that they would curl up in the fetal position, no one would go. But I feel duped when that happens.

OK, now onto what is probably the strangest book I will read all year, and one that I am very conflicted about. It's I've Been Deader by Adam Sifre. The book blurb makes it look like a zombie romance/comedy. Here's the blurb...

Being a zombie is no picnic and it's one hell of a handicap in the romance department when you fall in love with a 'breather': Aleta is a breather with short blonde hair and brown eyes - two of them! - and the whitest smile Fred has ever seen. Every day at a certain time she sits at her window, and every day he stands in the rubble across the street among a crowd of zombies waiting to break through the fence and eat her. 'You are beautiful, like an angel', he thinks, but all he can moan is, “Braaaiiinss." Still, as zombies go, Fred's quite a catch. Underneath all the gangrene and rot, Fred is different. This girl will probably turn out to be yet another dead end, an infatuation, someone whose image he cannot get out of his mind and whose taste he cannot get out of his mouth, but the heart wants what the heart wants. For breathers, it is always only a matter of time, however beautiful they are and whatever the government is assuring people. Which makes Fred sad because he has a beautiful 11 year old son called Timmy, and Timmy may still be alive.

✯

This book was recommended on the Amazon boards (I realized later that it was the indie author himself rec'ing his own book). It was 99 cents. And I LOVE funny zombie stuff. I've seen several other so-called "zombie-romance-comedy" series, and I thought I would give this one a go. Here are my assorted observations about this book....

1. This is by far one of the best-written indie books I've ever read. Except for one minor head-hopping issue early in the book, it is incredibly well-written. No typos, no grammatical errors, and pitch-perfect writing. I'm impressed with Sifre's grasp of craft--this book reads like it's been written by a well-seasoned author.

2. The beginning of this book is bloody brilliant. It is crisp, snappy, funny. The pacing is perfect. There are a million hilarious one-liners. As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Shaun of the Dead. There is nothing better than blending comedy and horror when it's done right. When it's done right, it's the balls. And the beginning of this book was A+ all....the.....way.

3. Sigh. And then something happened. Sifre started throwing in a lot of POVs. I'm fine with that. I was getting a very strong Stephen King vibe. Very similar to The Stand, one of my favorite books. I love how SK has a ton of unconnected POVs at the beginning, and as the story threads come together, the reader gets to see how these seemingly unrelated characters and events are connected.

The pseudo-romance is actually nothing, and over with before it begins. Right at the beginning of the book. But the storyline in I've Been Deader is very engaging, and I couldn't wait to find out what happens.

That is until Sifre switched this book from comedy to horror. If you're going to blend 2 genres, you gotta blend them. The beginning was perfect. But once he left the humor behind and jumped totally into Stephen King grotesque/touching on paranormal/drug-addled, ultra violent, disturbing, with nary a bit of humor in sight, he lost me. I didn't sign up for that. I signed up for cute, funny, quirky.

Funny thing is, the horror part is also very good. If the book had maintained some consistency either way--either a funny horror bit, or a straight-up grotesque horror novel--it would have been great. But these 2 genres were not blended, they just switched half-way through the book.

I made it to about 80% through, and then I DNFed it. I no longer cared what happened to any of the freakin' characters.

4. So, I'm not sure I can actually rate this book. Based on the writing, the success of the comedy at the beginning and the success of the horror portion--separate from the rest of the novel--I would give it an "A" or 5 stars. But unfortunately, the huge disconnect between the beginning of this story and then second half, as well as the misleading book blurb, would give it a failing grade.

This is definitely a book with an identity crisis. But I am extremely impressed with Sifre's writing. He is very talented and I would try another one of his books.

5. The cover is so disgusting, I didn't feel right about posting it here. If you would like to see it (preferably BEFORE eating), here's the linkie.

Grade: DNF

Jonesing for Shaun of the Dead,
Penelope

Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday Morning Updates: Winners and Sinners!

1. First bit o' business....the winner of the Sweet Magik Giveaway. Congrats to ODDERIE (Audrey!)....you have won a copy of Sweet Magik and the cute holiday necklace! Yee haw! Merry Christmas to you from Oskar and all the Klaus Brothers!

2. Some good news.....Sweet Magik is on the bestseller list at Bookstrand.com for the Fairy Tales/Myths category. It also got another great review from Jen at Not Now....I'm Reading. She says..."I LOVED this story. It had a little bit of everything: action, adventure, mystery, romance and plenty of fan yourself moments....Most importantly, [Penny] infuses her stories with the things I think are the most important part of holiday spirit: family, love and friendship." Wow! What a great review....I am stoked! Happy Monday morning! (ETA: And another nice review from Tales Of Whimsy).

3. My daughter had her final soccer game of the season yesterday. After dancing on the field, chatting with her buds during the game, giggling after the ball bounced off her head, she finally found her mojo. She had 2 incredible shots on goal, was sprinting all over the field, and when another player was pushing her around, she threw her elbow and knocked the kid out of the way. Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Proud Mommy Moment.

4. Finally....the "Sinners." As I perused the bestseller list at Bookstrand this weekend, I found a book that threw me for a loop. At first I thought it must be a typo. Then, I realized it was actually an "orgy-style" book? Not sure what term to use for this one exactly, but here's the category description....

MMMMMMM

That's right, folks. Seven! Count them, seven guys having an orgy. The book blurb includes the words "lush firm buttocks," "battle-hardened generals," and "riding crop." Needless to say, I was stymied. How could 7 guys get it on at the same time? Wouldn't some of the guys get bored waiting for their turn? Maybe they played with an ipod while waiting in line. Or talked sports. All I know is that one poor little sex slave could not possibly service 6 horny generals at the same time. And I have NO intention of reading this book to find out otherwise.

Well, I hope everyone has a great week!

Penelope

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Review of Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

Mind Games by Carolyn Crane

Whoa, Nelly.

This book is the perfect package. It's totally original, quirky, unexpected, has fascinating characters, an incredible story line, crazy-ass tension (sexual and otherwise), excellent pacing, is super sexy, and finally....a fabulous ending. The fact that it was written by a debut author blows me right out of the water. Carolyn Crane, who also writes a witty romance blog, The Thrillionth Page, has just set a new standard for first time authors.

What's so great about this book? The originality of the story concept, the mastery of first person POV, and the writing....Holy Mother, the writing....it is smooth as butt-ah. The quirky POV of Justine paints a fascinating portrait of her environment, her delusions about her health, her conflicted nature. She is the perfect anti-hero/heroine, struggling with her own selfish desires and her need to do the right thing. She is as real as any heroine can get.

The unexpected premise for this story, which involves Justine's obsessive hypochondria and a totally cool paranormal super secret vigilante group, is completely engrossing. The group's leader, Packard, sort of reminds me of Karen Marie Moning's character Barron from the Fever series. He is mysterious, sexy, powerful, and we're not quite sure if he's a good guy or a bad guy.

The pacing and suspense of this story are amazing. Each "client" Justine has to work on is fraught with uncertainty. Is the person harmless, kooky, or a raging psychopath? We're never quite sure. The last book I read like this was Skin Game by Ava Gray. You keep thinking, there is no way this is going to end well, but I really, really want it to. Without giving anything away, I will say that Crane does a superb job with the ending. It is emotionally satisfying and makes the reader starved for book #2, Double Cross, which is coming out September 2010.

The "love triangle" between Justine, Packard, and Otto is just utterly delicious, and I can't wait for this to be further explored in the rest of the trilogy. I also love how Crane takes a character, such as Foley, who is skank personified, transforms him into a contrite and upstanding citizen, defuses the hatred of his enemies, and leaves us hanging with the uncomfortable feeling...okay, what now? We don't quite trust what's happening. These characters are the antithesis of your typical, easy-to-digest romance characters. They're complex, confusing, and the jury's still out as to their true natures.

There is no question that Mind Games will be on my Favorites List for 2010. It's just chock full of goodness. In fact, I was sort of pissed off when I finished it. I wanted it to keep going on forever, which is, of course, the ultimate compliment for any author. Bravo to Ms. Crane for this kick-ass debut. I have a sneaking suspicion that she is going to sky rocket in the next ten years as one of the most talented new writers of the genre.

Cool.

Grade: A+

Penelope

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Review of First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh

First Comes Marriage by Mary Balogh

She felt beautiful.

She felt cherished.

Ah, how I truly adore the prose of Mary Balogh. After I read these two sentences in her latest book, I realized this is why women love romance novels...because secretly we all want to feel beautiful and cherished, and we are sure to find these pure sentiments in Balogh's exquisitely crafted stories. After exhausting the Bedwyn family in her "Simply" series, Balogh has moved on to the Huxtables, who are introduced in First Comes Marriage. Frankly, I wonder if she will be able to create a family as superb as the Bedwyns, who are truly one of the most memorable of romance families. First Comes Marriage is the story of Vanessa Huxtable Dew and Elliott Wallace, and is somewhat reminiscent for me of More Than A Mistress, one of my all-time favorite romances. Vanessa is an interesting character...a "plain Jane" with a joy for life and an intense loyalty to her family. Elliott, much to his surprise, finds himself falling in lust and love with his wife "of convenience." What I most admire about Balogh's writing is how she distills everything down to the most fundamentally important components of a love story...namely, love. And joy. And pride, which threatens the path to happiness, of course. There is a starkness to her stories I find incredibly satisfying. Not every author can elicit the feeling of spring by describing something as simple as a field of daffodils on a sunny day. Balogh is truly a wonderful writer. Although the rest of the family did not spark a lot of interest, Constantine, the outcast illegitimate cousin, is quite fascinating. I cannot wait to read more about him! I highly recommend First Comes Marriage, a quintessential Balogh novel, and look forward to more promising stories in this series about the Huxtable family. Grade: A

Hoping for Spring, Penelope

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Review of Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan

Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan

Every once in awhile I discover a new writer and I am filled with glee. A fresh, new voice! An engaging story! Wonderful, fully-formed characters who are interesting, and more importantly, who I grow to care about as I read the novel! This was my reaction to reading Distracting the Duchess by Emily Bryan. (I also had this reaction when reading Candice Hern's In the Thrill of the Night and Elizabeth Hoyt's The Raven Prince). I found Emily Bryan to be a unique voice in the land of historical romances. This genre has a tendency to be very formulaic, but when it's done well, it is a treat for the reader. I had high expectations for Vexing the Viscount, and Bryan delivered. Vexing the Viscount is fantastique! (I apologize for breaking into francaise, but Blanche La Tour has inspired me, vraiment!) This book is the total package...witty humor, lusty sex, intriguing plot, great pacing, and marvelous characters. I loved the unexpected flashback to Caius Meritus in ancient Rome. It was a great device to pull you into the mystery that Daisy and Lucian are trying to solve. Caius' tragic love story is very touching and really brings history alive. C'est magnifique! I must admit that when the premise for the story was revealed (virgin pretending to be a courtesan), I thought "Now how the heck is Bryan going to pull this one off?" Honestly, it was done incredibly well. I highly recommend Vexing the Viscount. And now I am off to find a croissant au chocolat! Au revoir! Grade: A

Bien a toi, Penelope

Friday, February 20, 2009

Review of Zen and the Art of Vampires by Katie MacAlister

Zen and the Art of Vampires by Katie MacAlister

I have found, in my vast wisdom as romance reader extraordinaire, that Katie MacAlister is somewhat inconsistent with her books. Some of her stories are brilliant (Noble Intentions), some are not (Men in Kilts). Her light paranormals (the Aisling Grey Guardian series, Silver Dragon series, etc) are usually fun reads. However, she is one of those authors who adores (1) first person narrative, (2) irritating heroines, and (3) paranormal scenarios where the heroine has not a clue about what's going on and has a steep on the job learning curve. I have a bit of a problem with irritating first person heroines who are clueless. That being said, I have often enjoyed her stories, particularly the Silver Dragon series. I grabbed a copy of Zen and the Art of Vampires at the airport recently, and proceeded to read the entire book on my flight (have I mentioned I'm a fast reader?). I really enjoyed A Girl's Guide to Vampires and thought I would find this book entertaining. I was disappointed for a variety of reasons. In addition to being a clueless heroine, Pia Thomason sleeps with one vampire at the beginning of the story, and then sleeps with another (her true mate, and the coolest guy in the book) later on. I don't mind "off-stage" prior relationships but dealing with 2 in one book made me somewhat uncomfortable in addition to making the heroine look wishy washy. Also, the cool vampire (Kristoff) and Pia do not resolve their troubled relationship at the end of this book, clearing the way for a sequel, but potentially leaving the reader feeling a bit irked. (Yes, I felt irked, although I am totally digging Kristoff). The cutest part of this book is the hodge podge group of ghosts that Pia must take care of, which gives MacAlister's quirky sense of humor a chance to shine. Kristoff is a very intriguing character, and for this reason alone I will probably read the next book in the series. Zen and the Art of Vampires is not MacAlister's best effort, but I'm hoping that Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang (which comes out in May 2009) will be worth the wait. Grade: B-

Pondering the future, Penelope

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Review of A Witch's Beauty by Joey W. Hill

A Witch's Beauty by Joey W. Hill

Holy Macarena! I just finished reading A Witch's Beauty, and I am having heart palpitations. I honestly didn't think that this book could best A Mermaid's Kiss, but it did! Hill is a powerful, sensual, intense writer. Mina and David are an amazing combination..beauty and monstrousness, strength and weakness, good and evil...it's all here. Mina is one of the most fascinating characters I have ever met. Her physical manifestation of the struggle between good and evil (half of her body is physical perfection, the other half grotesque) is a poignant symbol of her inner struggle to control her Dark One blood. I usually have trouble with irritating heroines. It's a fine line for an author to create a character who is willful and prickly, while still maintaining some likability. Mina is an incredibly well developed character and her emotional journey in this story is utterly satisfying. Although David is a wonderful character in his own right, this is Mina's story all the way. Hill's expertise as a story-teller is never more apparent than in the chapters leading up to the climatic battle scene with the Dark Ones. Boy, does she know how to build up the sickening anticipation of what was going to befall poor David (and Mina) in the Dark One's World. I am ashamed to admit that I snuck at look at the final pages of the book to reassure myself before tackling those chapters...the awful apprehension was almost to much to bear! (I can't remember feeling that much anxiety since reading Stephen King's The Shining). Anyway, of course Hill takes her characters to Hell and back. If I had to pick one word to describe this book and Hill's writing it would be...powerful. Wow. I am officially a Joey Hill addict (that's the sound of Amazon's CEO cackling with glee). Grade: A+

Pleased as punch, Penelope

Monday, February 16, 2009

A Blast from the Past: Review of Simply Love by Mary Balogh

Simply Love by Mary Balogh (2007)

A friend of mine once commented on the fact that Mary Balogh does not have a sense of humor. True, there is no humor in her historicals, unlike Amanda Quick or Julie Garwood. Balogh's stories are serious, sometimes emotionally wrenching, and perhaps even somber in tone. But I defy anyone to find a writer whose endings are as emotionally satisfying, and whose characters are as romantic as Balogh's. Simply Love is one of the most touching and satisfying stories I have ever read. I cry repeatedly while reading this book. Balogh introduced Anne Jewell and Sydnam Butler (Sydnam, I love you!) in previous books as secondary characters, and thank the good Lord, she resurrected them in this wonderful tale. Both have been badly beaten down by the events of their lives. Their stilted dialogue and awkward courtship blossom into something glorious and life-affirming for both of them. The symmetry of this story, two broken souls who are able to provide each other with the will and strength to embrace life once again, is simply perfect. My only complaint about Simply Love is that I felt bereft when I finished it. I wanted more! It's everything romance should be. Grade: A+

Feeling inspired, Penelope

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Review of Never Been Witched by Annette Blair

Never Been Witched by Annette Blair

Let me just say, oh how refreshing it is to be reading an author whose books are getting BETTER as the series progresses, instead of steadily losing the magic (you know who you are!). Blair's voice has matured into a highly entertaining, engaging and "spell-binding" style of writing. I simply could not put this book down. I LOVE when that happens. The pacing of her books is absolutely perfect. They're fast, intense and suck the reader in with a vengeance. Never Been Witched is the story of Destiny (the final of the identical triplet witches) and Morgan, a disbeliever with hidden secrets. Honest to God, no one writes a love scene like Blair. They are downright juicy (in a really good way!)- fun, flirty, sexy, completely original. And finding an original sex scene in romance is no small feat. Blair also weaves the emotional angle and the sexual attraction together in a totally convincing way, another challenge for every romance author. The sweet paranormal touches (butterflies following the ghostly sister, for example), humorous language and snappy dialogue are superb. Blair is setting a high bar for herself and future works, and I have no doubt she will rise to the challenge. This book rocked the house! Grade: A+

Feeling somewhat witchy, Penelope

Monday, February 2, 2009

Review for Dark Curse by Christine Feehan

Dark Curse by Christine Feehan

Christine Feehan has developed a winning recipe for her dark paranormal romance series. Take one sexy alpha-male Carpathian vampire, add a gorgeous female with an iron will, throw in an intriguing history of the Carpathian people (including a language that appears to roll off the tongue), and finish with heart-stopping vampire battles and incredibly steamy sex scenes. Feehan's baked herself a winning series that continues to fascinate her fans and keeps them clamoring for more. Dark Curse is the 16th entry of the Dark Series, and I was spell bound by this installment. Lara Calladine is from the Dragonseeker line, and Nicolas De La Cruz is one of the domineering, arrogant and irresistible Carpathians. This book has a couple of things that veer off her regular path which make it extraordinary, in my oh so humble opinion. First of all, I love the council meeting with the warrior males...it's such a treat to see all of these characters we have grown to love together in one scene. I also adored the council meeting with their female counterparts, especially Shea struggling to uncover the medical mystery surrounding the deaths of their infants. I'm digging how Feehan is portraying the females as powerful members of this race with their own special talents and abilities. I cannot wait for Dark Slayer, which will be out in hardcover in September 2009. Check out Feehan's website for more info and to watch her amusing videos. I hope that Feehan will not make her fans wait too long for the story of Skyler and Dimitri...there's nothing I like better than two tortured souls finding salvation with each other, and this pairing should produce an incredible book in this series. Grade: A

Loving her own life, Penelope

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

A Blast from the Past: Review for Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (1995)

This is the first of my "Blast from the Past" reviews. I am attempting to focus on the newest releases for my regular posts, but there are some books that are just so amazing I feel compelled to write about them, even if they are a few years old. Lord of Scoundrels is damned near perfection for a romance novel. I could re-read this baby a million times over (and I've come close) and each and every time I finish with a sigh of envy. (Penelope has aspirations to write the Great American Romance Novel, and this book makes me want to quit the game.) Even if you don't like historicals. Even if you don't like romance. You must read this book. The characters are outstanding, complex, compelling. Jessica and Dain are without a doubt my favorite romance pairing of all time. He is the arrogant Lord Beelzebub, she is his elegant and brilliant nemesis. Their chemistry is incendiary. The plot is utterly engaging (from the first meeting in the antique shop, to the confrontation in the Parisian townhouse, the dramatic shooting by an enraged lover, the rescue of the forgotten bastard son, and the list goes on....). The writing is exquisite. All of my favorite authors have a "special" voice, and Chase is no exception. Her writing is one of a kind. Lord of Scoundrels is funny, touching, sexy, and most of all...oh, so satisfying as Jessica tames the "Beast" and heals his tortured soul. The scene where Jessica presents Dain with the Russian icon on his birthday, the first birthday gift of his life, is powerful indeed. In conclusion, I would like to say....thank you Loretta Chase for this little piece of heaven. Truly, there is no grade good enough for this book. Grade: A+ (A for A Little Piece of Heaven)

Your humble host, Penelope

Review for Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole

Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole's Immortal After Dark Series is one of the finest paranormal romance series on the market right now. In fact, it is just as good as JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, although Cole's name is not as well known. The first book of this series, A Hunger Like No Other, may be the best paranormal romance ever written and is on my all-time favorite list. However, it's difficult to stick with the program while writing these long-winded series, and even great authors such as Sherrilyn Kenyon and JR Ward have begun that nose dive to mediocrity after starting out with a bang. (I hope and pray that both of these exemplary authors will somehow find the magic again with their series, since their earlier books rocked the house!). Anyway, Cole's writing is mesmerizing. Her paranormal world fascinates, the sex is unbelievably hot, and her characters literally come alive. Also, the fun, witty repartee of the various members of the Lore (including valkyrie, witches, demons, vampires, etc) is riddled with pop culture references and adds a real spark to Cole's unique voice as a writer as well as a fresh twist on a paranormal setting. Now, after that stellar introduction, I must admit I was somewhat disappointed with Kiss of a Demon King. For the simple reason that I did not like Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions. I didn't like her at the beginning, and I didn't particularly like her at the end, either. That's a problem. If your heroine isn't likable at the beginning of the story, you better make sure she's likable by the end. Also, Rydstrom and Sabine did not have the same incredible chemistry as Lachlain and Emmaline from A Hunger Like No Other. I still enjoyed the book and cannot wait for the next installment...Cole knows how to whet the reader's appetite for the next story by introducing a bevy of intriguing characters in each book. Kresley Cole's bio states that she was a world ranked athlete prior to her career as a writer. Unfortunately, Kiss of a Demon King is only getting a silver medal in my romance Olympics. Grade: B

All my best, Penelope

Monday, January 26, 2009

Review for A Mermaid's Kiss by Joey W. Hill

A Mermaid's Kiss by Joey W. Hill

My good friend Michelle once gently suggested that I check out an author named JR Ward, not knowing that I would turn into one of those (slightly) deranged fans who actually joined The Black Dagger Brotherhood message boards on this author's website. Point being, Michelle is chock full of excellent recommendations. This past weekend she told me to check out Joey W. Hill and offered me her copy of A Mermaid's Kiss (which, let's face it, she's never getting back!). I am in love! What an amazing author, what an amazing book...it has the perfect combination of lusty sex and that emotional love connection I crave in romances. It also has an awesome paranormal world with angels, demons, witches, mermaids, fairies, dragons....you name it, she's got it. Jonah (an angel who is the Prime Legion Commander for the Goddess) is the kind of tortured hero I cannot resist. As he struggles with his inner demons, Anna (an innocent and loving mermaid) reawakens his will to live. Hill is one incredible writer...I was sucked into the story from page one and totally forgot I was reading a book until my kids got back from school and ran screaming into the house. (Then I set them up with a snack and locked myself in my bedroom until I finished). I am now going to Amazon to order the next installment, A Witch's Beauty. Thank you, Michelle...I owe you one! Grade: A+

With happiness in her heart, Penelope

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Review for Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz

Running Hot by Jayne Ann Krentz

My favorite type of romance novel seamlessly mixes sexy characters, paranormal elements, humor and a dash of mystery. That's one of the reasons that I truly adore Amanda Quick, aka Jayne Ann Krentz, aka Jayne Castle. She's got the recipe down pat. Her Arcane Society Series is a heady combination of quirky characters, fascinating paranormal abilities, and mysterious circumstances that draw the reader into her delightful world. I absolutely loved Second Sight, which is a historical installment of this series. (I love that she is following the origins of this secret society, and then jumps into contemporary times to follow the members' descendants...totally cool!) Anyway, Running Hot is a great addition to this series. Luther and Grace are a terrific combination, and the threads of various stories that are woven together in the book are wonderful. My favorite is La Sirene, who uses her supernatural voice as a weapon of destruction. Krentz' observations about opera music are superb and almost make me a believer of the paranormal (she's so convincing!). I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next installment of the Arcane Society Series. Grade: A

Your humble servant, Penelope

Review for Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood

Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood

Let me start by saying I am a die-hard Julie Garwood fan. Her historicals got me hooked on the romance genre. That being said, I am not a huge fan of contemporary romantic suspense. I still feel that Garwood's historicals are by and far her most stellar works...in fact, I consider The Secret, The Bride, Honor's Splendour, and The Lion's Lady among the best romances ever written (and believe me, I have read a lot!). However, I really enjoyed Fire and Ice, Garwood's newest contemporary romantic suspense. It is a very engaging, well-paced suspense, with enough sexual tension to satisfy those of us addicted to romance. Since I personally have a background in science, I loved the biologist's journal entries dispersed throughout the book which serve as tantalizing clues for the reader. Garwood throws in enough surprise twists to keep you guessing until the end, and her secondary characters add a huge amount of flavor to the book. I would have to admit that I found this latest installment a very satisfying read. For those of you who are new to Garwood, I highly recommend taking the time to read her older historicals as an introduction to this talented author. For those of you already on the Garwood Bandwagon, this is probably her best example to date of her contemporary work. Happy reading! Grade: A

Yours truly, Penelope

Review for A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair

A Veiled Deception by Annette Blair

Technically speaking, A Veiled Deception is not your typical romance. It's actually a mystery. But if you have enjoyed Blair's Witch Series, I guarantee you will not be disappointed with this fun, flirty, adorable story which combines a funky heroine, vintage clothing, and, of course, a little bit of witchiness. What a delicious combination! Blair has written her best book yet and I am looking forward to more of these "romantic mysteries" from her. I am not a big fan of bloody, violent romantic suspense books. A Veiled Deception is perfect for those of us who like our mystery stories on the "light" side (yes, there is a murder, but no, it's not gruesome or too disturbing). My favorite part of Blair's writing is her unique voice (also fun, flirty and snappy!) which lends itself perfectly to this genre. I literally could not put the book down until I finished (midnight of the day that the man of my dreams, I mean the UPS man, delivered the box from Amazon). I highly recommend A Veiled Deception, and bestow my first grade of 2009 upon this wonderful book. Grade: A+

Penelope

Review for Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

Oh Lord, have mercy on my soul! Karen Marie Moning's newest series is a gift of epic proportions to paranormal romance fans. Two of Moning's Highlander series are among my favorite time-travel romances...The Highlander's Touch and Kiss of the Highlander...yum! The new Fever series is definitely a departure from her time-travel books, and fans expecting more of the same may be disappointed. (By the way, Faefever is the third installment of this series; Darkfever is number 1, and Bloodfever is number 2, and yes, you must read them in order...no cheating!) However, I implore you to give these a chance. They are tremendous. Moning's talent as a writer has truly flourished over the years, and this newest series is a testament to that. This first-person narrative is brimming with Irish lore, mysterious, sexy characters, and a dark, sensual tone that is addictive. I LOVED this book and cannot wait for the next one. Grade: A+

With the utmost sincerity, Penelope

Review for Murder Game by Christine Feehan

Murder Game by Christine Feehan

Murder Game is Book 7 of the Ghostwalker Series by Feehan. For those of you who love dark paranormal romances, this series is for you. And I do mean dark. Feehan is not for the faint of heart. She handles some seriously disturbing themes in her books, and this one is no exception. Tansy Meadows (love the flower names!) and Kadan Montague are the two enhanced Ghostwalkers who fall in love, and lust, in this intense novel. Feehan is an absolute master of the paranormal...discovering the range of abilities for her Ghostwalkers is always a fabulous adventure for the reader. (My favorite part of this one is the modifications to Kadan's fingertips, allowing him to stick to any surface and crawl like Spiderman). I know it sounds ridiculous, but you're a believer once sucked into Feehan's world. Tansy is forced to experience a sort of mental torture as she touches objects used by the perverse killers playing this murder game. The violent images she must endure may be too much for many romance readers. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed this book. If you're a fan of dark paranormals, then Murder Game is a must-read. It also continues (in the same tradition as the television show Lost, I suppose) to reveal some answers about the mysterious Ghostwalkers and their creator Whitney, while introducing more questions to be addressed in future installments. I also recommend starting with the beginning of this series (Shadow Game) and working through the books in order, since there is a lot of fascinating back story. Also for your amusement, check out Christine Feehan's website to see her video ads for the Ghostwalker Series...they're a hoot! Grade: A- (minus is for excessive violence)

Sincerely, Penelope