The Spite House is hungry. Humans are full of dark emotions that make for good eating. Is our love stronger than our rage and bitterness? Those are quThe Spite House is hungry. Humans are full of dark emotions that make for good eating. Is our love stronger than our rage and bitterness? Those are questions that you will ponder when you read this short but atmospheric novel. I feel very unsettled when I think of this book, but yes, I'd like to see a movie adaptation, and I want to read more by Johnny Compton.
When a Duke Loves a Governess is an enjoyable Regency romance. The relationships between Tessa and the Duke and his daughter Sophy really worked for m
When a Duke Loves a Governess is an enjoyable Regency romance. The relationships between Tessa and the Duke and his daughter Sophy really worked for me. I felt the suspense was underdeveloped, but otherwise I really got engaged with this book. I think it would appeal to many fans of the genre.
I found this a very refreshing read. I haven't had the time to read many Harlequin Presents books lately, and I realized how much I miss reading them.I found this a very refreshing read. I haven't had the time to read many Harlequin Presents books lately, and I realized how much I miss reading them. Having said that, this book is on the surface a standard HP type book, but deep down, it's a book about marriage and keeping the love and the emotional intimacy alive in a relationship that is challenged by external factors such as overbearing family, over-full schedules, and workaholic spouses. I loved the fact that it is quite dialogue heavy. It was crucial with this kind of novel. Both characters are human and have the accompanying flaws, but both are likable. They both had to commit to changing what was wrong and striving to make their marriage what they wanted it to be.
I liked this book a lot, and it was a quick, enjoyable read.
It took me a while because of school, work, everything, but I finished reading this about two months ago ??? (Time is running together right now. My wIt took me a while because of school, work, everything, but I finished reading this about two months ago ??? (Time is running together right now. My writing teacher said we're living in an atemporal reality right now with COVID-19, and I get what she means). The whole design is very innovative. The illustrations use glitch motif and tons of small sequential panels where one small detail changes. You really have to pay attention when you read this book. In some ways, the colors didn't appeal to me as much. They were not dull colors, but they lacked vibrancy. I do think that was intentional. I read this book as a commentary on depression. Scott Free has had a very difficult life, and it's completely weighing down. His cumulative trauma has become almost too much for him. Additionally, he is living two parallel lives (or three I guess). Scott is the son of the Highfather, the leader of New Genesis who went to live on Apokolips, which is ruled by Darkseid. They traded sons as part of a truce to avoid war. Unfortunately, Scott was tortured and abused by Granny Goodness, discovering that he has an uncanny ability to escape any trap he was put into. This trait helps him to survive horrendous circumstances, but he carries mental/emotional scars as an adult. He ends up falling in love with one of Granny Goodness' Furies, Big Barda. They escape together and get married.
Scott and Barda now live on Earth, but they have ties to both New Genesis and Apokolips that won't let them move on. The book is about Scott processing this, his past trauma, and navigating a hopeful future, despite the heavy weight of his trauma and responsibilities.
I believe that the writer, Tom King, and the illustrator, Mitch Gerads's individual processes come together into a seamless creation. The art, as I have indicated earlier, reveals the tone and the internal thoughts and feelings of Scott very clearly. I had a lot of empathy for him, and I loved his strong relationship with Barda. I could identify with that feeling of being trapped, and helpless by circumstances, and being weighed down by things you can't change. I think that this book could be helpful to show how insidious depression can be, and how some people may seem functional, but they aren't really okay, they have just learned to cope with their anxiety, fear, sense of hopelessness, and that things won't change or get better.
I appreciate the artistic techniques, although I wish the panels were a bit larger, because they were harder to read for me, with my bad eyesight. I think the glitch effect was well done and innovative. The writing is good as well. I'd recommend this book....more
Wow. This volume wrecked me. I mean....yeah. I find Catman aka Thomas Blake such a compelling character, and the things that he goes through and the lWow. This volume wrecked me. I mean....yeah. I find Catman aka Thomas Blake such a compelling character, and the things that he goes through and the limits he pushes to achieve a very personal goal, well I had feels. The ending left me devastated, but I know that it was the right thing for him to do. I can't remember everything about this book, but I do remember how it made me feel. That's why this review is so brief. As usual, the art is fantastic in this volume. It's a feast for the eyes. I hate the fact that DC is no longer producing this series. As much as I love the Suicide Squad, I think I love the Secret Six even more....more
I was verra much enamored with this book. A great match between the very tortured hero and heroine. I like my Highlanders brawny and intense, and LiamI was verra much enamored with this book. A great match between the very tortured hero and heroine. I like my Highlanders brawny and intense, and Liam definitely fits the bill. I have found another historical romance series to follow!
Alpha is a tense, suspense-filled story. Admittedly, I was bit thrown by the present tense format. I'm not a huge fan of that. I prefer past tense narAlpha is a tense, suspense-filled story. Admittedly, I was bit thrown by the present tense format. I'm not a huge fan of that. I prefer past tense narrative. Otherwise, I have to say that Rucka has another success on his hands. I've been reading almost every graphic novel by his I can get my hands on, because he knows what he's doing. This is my first official prose book by him. He can write just as good without illustrations to tell the story.
I found myself feeling very sympathetic towards the sleeper agent. While he's not by any stretch a good man, I think that in another life, he could have been a better man. It's very hard to write a villain that is sympathetic, but Rucka did it well in this case. I really wish things had ended much differently for him, although he did make his choices (admittedly from a deck short of cards) in the end.
The idea of an action story set at an amusement park was well done. I have always had a distrust of, shall we say, people wearing character suits (something a bit disturbing about it, especially if they are animal characters), and now I won't look at them the same way again. I like how Rucka emphasized the frozen smiling face of the terrorists in their character suit. It's a metaphor for how a bland face can hide evil and latent menace, especially when one cannot see the eyes (the windows to the soul). The amusement park is almost a bit of a stand-in for Disneyland, but with its own mythology that plays out in a way that's decidedly creepy considering that the park is harboring blood-thirsty terrorists.
"Alpha" is more of a suspense book but it has plenty of action. I felt my stomach tense up in knots as the story progresses at a fast pace towards its climax. Jad is a likable protagonist despite having some flaws. I appreciate that while he's a skilled special forces operator who has earned his formidable reputation, he's not bulletproof or invulnerable.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a tightly written, well-plotted novel that straddles the fence between suspense and action. I'll definitely keep reading this series....more
This was a cute Christmas book. It seemed a little lighter than usual for Sara Craven, until the evil ex shows up and it gets real. And that woman wasThis was a cute Christmas book. It seemed a little lighter than usual for Sara Craven, until the evil ex shows up and it gets real. And that woman was wretched! I can't imagine how much Dominic regrets marrying her, except for his daughter. When it's just Phoebe, Dominic and Tara, this almost has a sweet feel, a family oriented holiday romance. It's nicely steamy in parts, but appropriate to the subject matter. Phoebe is perfectly likable, an orphan with a bit of a Cinderellaesque feel. Dominic is a hot dad who is on the intense side. And Tara seems troubled, missing the love of a mother. It works perfectly well for a reader looking for a holiday themed contemporary romance including children. Enough said....more
I picked this up because I've been reading Swamp Thing and the story seems to cross over--the war is between the Green and Red versus the Rot. HonestlI picked this up because I've been reading Swamp Thing and the story seems to cross over--the war is between the Green and Red versus the Rot. Honestly, I didn't like the artwork at all. It made an already gruesome and disturbing story moreso. The drawings were so squiggly and unappealing, and the colors were too muted for my tastes. If the creators were going for a horror tale, they achieved their goal. I love animals, so I like the idea of Buddy (and his daughter) having a connection to the animal web of life, but I hated how the Rot distorts this.
I am on the fence about continuing this series. I think I prefer the Swamp Thing execution. I'm hoping that Buddy and his family will show on that side and I can get a different and in my mind better perception of the Animal Man concept.
Unfortunately, the artwork was such a turnoff, I had to give this one 2.5/5.0 stars.
Sarah Pendleton returns to her hometown of Mistletoe Valley, Oregon, to get her deceased grandmother's affairs in order, especially the sale oSynopsis
Sarah Pendleton returns to her hometown of Mistletoe Valley, Oregon, to get her deceased grandmother's affairs in order, especially the sale of her grandmother's home. Her past memories of Mistletoe Valley are painful, including her rebellious behavior and earned reputation as a "Preacher's Kid," her subsequent failed marriage, and most of all, having to give her baby daughter up for adoption. Her first day back, she meets handsome and friendly real estate agent, Rich Stevens, who happens to have an adorable daughter named Carly (who coincidentally is the same age as her daughter). An instant spark and connection develops between them, but Sarah knows she doesn't intend to stay in Mistletoe Valley, where the past has eliminated her hope for a good future. Besides, Rich is also a part-time youth pastor and a grieving widower, not an ideal choice for a romance, considering Sarah's bad reputation as a rebellious "Preacher's Kid" when she was younger. Can they spend the short time they have together, knowing that they will have to walk away from any love developing between them?
Review
The Heart Leads Home is a sweet contemporary romance that has a meaningful message about letting go of past mistakes and pain and being open to a future. Both leads have distinctive burdens to carry, and they clearly help each other through their pain, although each has to work through the bulk of their emotional issues themselves. I could feel Sarah's anguish over having to give up her daughter, failing her grandparents, and her regrets over her short-lived marriage. Her fears are reasonable, and her desire not to ‘go back' is completely understandable. She showed a lot of courage to face people who knew about her mistakes, so when she had occasional lapses in mettle in being open to a future romance and letting go of the past, it's forgivable.
Rich's issues seem to take a backseat in the story. The author does mention his pain about his wife's death, and there is a sense that he is grieving, but not as much page time is spent on processing his grief as is spent on Sarah's journey. Also the stress of his juggling his single father status with his full-time job as a realtor and his work as a youth pastor wasn't as well-described as I would have liked. I felt that his portrayal was lacking, as a result.
The romance is well done. I appreciated that even though this is a sweet/lightly inspirational romance, the author does establish romantic chemistry with some sexual attraction between Sarah and Rich. One of my pet peeves with Christian romances is the way that the characters are often sexually neutered by the author, perhaps out of the sense that any sexual content is inappropriate. While I respect that not all readers would feel comfortable with graphic sexual descriptions, I see nothing wrong with a passionate kiss between the characters or even an acknowledgement that they feel attraction to each other. Voeller achieved a good balance in her portrayal of Sarah and Rich's developing feelings for each other. How, yes, they initially feel physically attracted to each other, although their love is built on a foundation of friendship and respect.
I did feel that the secondary characters lacked definition and development. Because they seemed one-dimensional, some of the dialogue between the characters seemed disingenuous. Overall, Carly was well-done as a child character, although the scene where she behaves badly could have been more authentic.
For readers who enjoy sweeter contemporary romance with a light inspirational theme, The Heart Leads Home will probably be an enjoyable read. In some ways it seemed to have an identity crisis, because the Christian message felt a little sidelined/watered down. For readers who don't really identify with the faith message, this might appeal. But for Christian readers or those who read books to gain insight into the way believers live out their faith, this might be disappointing. Additionally, the crises faced by both leads were watered down in how they were described (another pet peeve of mine with Christian romance). Being a Christian is hard, and Christians face some serious challenges in life, and the tendency in Christian fiction novels is to sanitize the content to the point that the message lacks profundity. Despite the way the end dragged, leading to the loss of some of my emotional investment, this was a well-paced, well-written book overall.
I wanted to like this a little more than I did, but I did find it a pleasant and enjoyable read. Readers who enjoy spinster/rogue romance, tortured heI wanted to like this a little more than I did, but I did find it a pleasant and enjoyable read. Readers who enjoy spinster/rogue romance, tortured heroes with a bad reputation, and heroines who finally get their day in the sun, along with the fairy tale theme, will probably like this book.
This was interesting and unputdownable until the end. This is the drama I was looking for in the last books by this author I read and was disappointedThis was interesting and unputdownable until the end. This is the drama I was looking for in the last books by this author I read and was disappointed with. Add a hero who has a vibe that sets you up to dislike him, and mix him with a heroine who is sweet, but sassy enough to hold her own. Put a dash of "Wow! Did they really meet that way?" and some family drama. And lastly, great sexual tension, and you have an arresting read.
Caleb didn't endear himself to me at first. I admit the butt slapping intro was a black mark. It hit my male chauvinism buttons. Plus, he has the macho air of aggression that normally doesn't work for me when it hits me in the face in a book. However, Cat was so good at facing off with Caleb, and she's no one's pushover, so they were perfectly matched. While the age difference is pretty considerable (15 years), it didn't bother as much, because Cat is fairly mature, independent, and Caleb doesn't feel way too old at 39. He reminded me of the Hollywood sex symbols of the early 80s, and since I was a wee girl and I hadn't developed my palate for actors at that tender age (although I wanted to marry Hutch on the eponymous show for some reason), I can't say I was feeling that vibe. Caleb started winning me over gradually. I think it was seeing his vulnerabilities as much as his obvious strengths. And the fact that even though he was supposed to be this confirmed bachelor hardened against woman after a divorce (except as bedmates) and jaded about women, it's clear he's crazy about Cat. There is plenty of sizzle between Caleb and Cat, but Caleb doesn't win Cat over too easy (I hate that). He has to work to earn her. I liked that he was so jealous of her deceased fiance'/childhood sweetheart.
The fact that Caleb's dad is an elusive Hollywood maven still mourning his wife's death for thirty years adds an intriguing facet to this book. I have a bit of a jaundiced love affair for Hollywood, due to the fact that I am a huge movie buff and TV-watcher, so I am always a bit drawn to a bit of Hollywood thrown into my fiction reading. Lucien's POV was sad and gruff and intriguing, and the perfect touch to help Cat get over her angst over her lost love and to gain some insight on her feelings for Caleb. And his son, Luke's bad behavior (Luke's bad behavior is why Cat and Caleb meet under such infamous circumstances), hides a sad soul that Cat connects with on a deep level because she identifies the desperation within.
Every character in this book adds something to the portrait of its main characters, from Lucien (Caleb's father), Luke (his son), Norm (his assistant/Man Friday), and a bit of Mrs. MacDonald (Caleb's housekeeper) and Vicki, Cat's flatmate. They make a short novel feel incredibly textured.
No Longer a Dream is a vintage Harlequin Presents that I think is worth seeking out. There is a lot of emotional complexity in the short length, and a story that builds on the foundation of a good romance in such a way that you feel like you get a bonus level of storytelling. I think books like this make me keep seeing out vintage Harlequin Presents books.
Thought not a five star read, it's more than a four star. Let's say it's 4.25/5.0 stars....more
Danielle The Book Huntress
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