Tag Archives: Romance

Charlotte’s Web by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for an enchanted season book cover

Title: Charlotte’s Web
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Cuttersville #2.25
In: An Enchanted Season (Nalini Singh, Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy & Jean Johnson)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: But this is Ohio’s most haunted town according to those paranormal investigators.

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Synopsis

Charlotte has been in love with Will for almost ten years, and this Christmas, something in their relationship is going to seriously change. Hopefully for the better.

Thoughts

I keep trying to find other things to read after finishing this novella. But nothing seems to compare to the vibrant and gorgeous innocence that runs rampant throughout this. Actually, the moment that I finished this, I jumped online and bought the other stories in the series. But, since I don’t tend to like reading ebooks, I now have to wait another month or more (probably more being Christmas time) until they arrive…

I was expecting something incredibly sad with the title of this story. I am still scared from the tale of the pig and the spider to be honest. So it was a pleasant surprise to find that there was nothing sad about this story what so ever. Charlotte has been in love with Will for years, and he with her. And, somehow the combination of Christmas and yearning helps to unleash Charlotte’s inner power. Or, you know… supernatural talents.

The combination of Christmas, romance, and passionate sex made this story hard to put down. Not the overbearingly cheesey Christmas story, but one that inspires love, romance and accepting your family… even if they are a little odd.

 <- Heiress for Hire ReviewChristmas Bree Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Wolfish in Sheep’s Clothing by Marta Acosta

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of scottish romance book cover

Title: Wolfish in Sheep’s Clothing
Author: Marta Acosta
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5:  5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Romance,
Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: She flicked on the light and saw a desktop with a large monitor, neat files, and a silver cup filled with pens.

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Synopsis

Kat is stranded in Scotland by herself when she comes across a dark and mysterious scottish gentleman. But will it be true love, or a calamity of mistakes?

Thoughts

This is a great modern Scottish romance. One that starts as a fling but seems to send the message that true love is possible in the most unexpected of places. Actually, I love the simple, modern story so much that I would almost give this a six out of five stars… it was just easy, sweet and actually imaginable as something that could happen in our daily existences.

I’m fascinated by ideas of The Sight, and it’s something that I do believe some people have. Both Kat and Calder are sent forth to find each other by women in their lives with The Sight, and it’s something that I know other women in my life have those “intuitive” moments.

This is one of those sweet and gorgeous stories that doesn’t really leave much to comment on. It’s just a nice, fun easy read to reward myself with in between studying.

 <- The Pagan Bride ReviewForever Knight Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia

The Pagan Bride by Patricia Grasso

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of scottish romance book cover

Title: The Pagan Bride
Author: Patricia Grasso
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5:  5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Politics, Romance,
Scottish romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Avril could have throttled her brother.

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Synopsis

Avril is on her way to meet the man she married when she was five years-old. Luckily, for her, he might be the man of her dreams, not so luckily, there are deadly politics of play as she holds court with Mary, Queen of the Scots.

Thoughts

I was honestly annoyed at the beginning of this story. Avril was married to a man ten years her senior when she was five years-old. Now, as an adult she is returning to his estate and taking her place as a wife. And he’s quite rude from the very beginning – leaving her waiting, assuming that he gets his “husbandly rights”… he’s kind of a douche. But, he gets better, and even though I don’t actually like him at the end of the story, I do like their relationship.

It took me a little longer than I would have liked to realise that this story featured Queen Mary of the Scots (or something like that), the woman who was imprisoned and executed in England after being one of Henry’s infamous wives (I believe). Even this, I’m not 100% sure of. But I loved the way in which a touch of the “other” (in the form of the Sight), works its way seamlessly into the machinations of a political court that was completely real.

The marrying of real life political intrigue and events with a fantastical romance worked really well here. I loved being able to imagine that this actually did happen way back when… that Avril’s descendants are happy and healthy somewhere in the world.

 <- Highland Heart ReviewWolfish in Sheep’s Clothing Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for practical magic book cover

Title: Practical Magic
Author: Alice Hoffman
Series: Practical Magic #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect), 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Magic, Romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Scribner
Year: 1995
5th sentence, 74th page: The rings around the moon are now so bright Sally’s convinced everyone in the neighbourhood will be awake before long.

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Synopsis

As children, sisters Gillian and Sally were forever outsiders in their small New England town, teased, taunted and shunned for the sense of magic that seemed to hang in the air around them. All Gillian and Sally ever wanted was to get away.

Years later, tragedy brings the sisters back together. They’ll find that no matter what else may happen, they’ll always have each other.

An enchanting tale of love, forgiveness and family, Practical Magic is one of Alice Hoffman’s best loved novels and the basis of the classic movie.

Thoughts

I literally bought this because I saw the book in a bookstore a few days after I’d watched the movie (I was on a Sandra Bullock binge-watch). Prior to seeing it, I actually had no idea that Practical Magic was even based on a book. This seems to be happening a lot to me at the moment to be fair…

Although I loved this book, I need to start this review with the fact that the book is really nothing like the movie. I was expecting a feel-good, sisterly tale that focused on the strong bond between the two. And this story does do that. But it’s also focusing on the flawed way that we as humans, sisters and family interact with each other. As someone who has a sister, I can tell you, this novel felt far more realistic and non-sugar-coated than the movie. Both are amazing, but this had a completely different flavour and tone than what I was expecting.

Other than the obvious connection between the three generations of sisters and a great, contemporary look at family ties, I really loved this style of writing. As I previously mentioned, it was nothing like I expected. And it really wasn’t anything like what I’ve experienced before. There was something completely unique about the style of writing that drew me in. A sense of darkness and doom that managed to sit within the pages, but not overbear them. Probably mostly due to the excellent use of foreshadowing that Hoffman employs. In most stories you can kind of guess something is going to go wrong (that’s generally the catalyst for the storyline, and who wants to read a story where everything goes right?). Yet, the slight sense of foreshadowing and the wording used in this makes everything all the more sinister and intense. Something that I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed.

 <- Nightbird ReviewThe Probable Future Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

Highland Heart by Heather McCollum

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of scottish romance book cover

Title: Highland Heart
Author: Heather McCollum
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Romance,
Scottish romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Prisoners doona fair well in the dungeons.

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Synopsis

Rachel is a young Engliswoman travelling with her father through the Highlands of Scotland. What starts out as a typical journey for the secret-wielding young woman quickly turns into a fast paced tale of romance, passion and subterfuge.

Thoughts

This is the very first book in a new collection of stories that I’ve found on my shelf – The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance. And it is a fantastic way to start it off. I haven’t read much Scottish-themed anything, but this straight away threw me into the subgenre and made me hungry for more. Between the roughness of the highlanders, the cultural and social aspects entrenched in the story, and the glorious setting, Highland Heart is a great way to start and pull you straight into the novel.

Rachel is a great lead character – she rescues herself, bitches at the man she’s obviously attracted to for not really helping her and constantly shows her own strong backbone. I don’t really enjoy any tales that have wilting females as the leads – I just can’t relate, so even though the love story is very quick in this (what do you expect, it’s a short story), Rachel doesn’t wilt. She even manages to save herself in the end when she’s at risk of being killed. Really, her male counterpart is just there to give her a happily ever after and a love that she hasn’t experienced before…

 <- The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance ReviewThe Pagan Bride Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia

The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance edited by Trisha Telep

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Overview
The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance

Title: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance
Author: Trisha Telep, Shirley Kennedy, Claire Delacroix, Margo Maguire, Cat Adams, Cindy Miles, Patricia Rice, Jennifer Ashley, Kathleen Givens, Jenna Maclaine, Dara England, Cindy Holby, Helen Scott Taylor, Roberta Gellis, Ciar Cullen, Susan Krinard, Nadia Williams, Penelope Neri, Sandra Newgent, Sue-Ellen Welfonder & Pat McDermott
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Running Press
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: He gazed around the tiny room and frowned.

Synopsis

An enthralling collection of romantic tales set amidst beautiful Ireland’s lush ancient landscapes: pre-Christian ruins, green hills, rugged cliffs, and pounding Atlantic surf. These stories–by writers such as Roberta Gellis, Bertice Small, Jennifer Ashley, Claire Delacroix, and Mary Jo Putney–honor Ireland’s rich heritage as a land of poets, magic, and mystery. The publication will be just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Thoughts

I loved, loved, loved this collection. My heart melted. My soul sang. And I had a constant smile on my lips throughout the tale.

Irish folklore has always fascinated me and pulled me in. Probably because some of my family is originally from there. And so I collection of romances that are guaranteed to make your heart melt all based in the folklore and mythos of this beautiful country… well, for me, it is a dream come true.

I mostly read each of these beautiful short stories when I was up late at night and struggling to sleep. The short stories guaranteed that I couldn’t get too involved in the storyline. But the romantic and beautiful angle of the stories meant that I was guaranteed to have pleasant dreams and drift off with a smile on my face.

<- Just AskThe Blue Pebble ->

Image source: Goodreads

By the Light of My Heart by Pat McDermott

Book Review, , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance

Title: By the Light of My Heart
Author: Pat McDermott
In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Running Press
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: He’d make a fine commission.

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Synopsis

Tom is bored with his life in the Irish countryside. Until he runs into Doreen. Then everything changes in the blink of an eye and he dares to dream of a brighter future.

Thoughts

I love when you read a nice, simple, homely story. And just finish it… smiling. Nothing else, just quietly smiling to yourself. The fact that this was the final tale in The Mammoth of Irish Romance collection just made it all that much more sweet and endearing.

There are almost two storylines happening throughout this tale. That of Tom and Dorreen’s plight against the fae and that of their meeting in real life. The fact that they are both realities and crossover beautifully at the very end was something that I enjoyed monumentally. As I enjoyed the way in which you’re not truly certain if their visit to the fae is merely a dream or something more… until those very final moments.

An incredibly fitting end to a wonderful collection of romantic tales.

 <- The Seventh Sister ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Seventh Sister by Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Seventh Sister

Author: Sue-Ellen Welfonder

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Romance

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: The pin twinkled at him, its emerald brilliance almost blinding.

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Synopsis

Every seven generations the seventh sister returns. And Maggie Gleason is there to witness it.

Thoughts

I both loved and hated this story. I loved the feeling of Irish folklore, love of land and ancestry. But I didn’t really enjoy the fact that two lovers were kept apart for twelve years. And there really isn’t any actual reason for this separation… it felt angsty, but then fell a little flat when there was no reason for such angst.

Maggie and Conall are obviously meant to be from the very outset of the story, but circumstances and fate are keeping them apart. Which is kind of painful. And more than a little frustrating. But I loved the imagery and the potency that is described throughout the story. Which made my slight discomfort at the distance of lovers almost disappear… and left me with this feeling of contentment and happiness.

 <- The Houndmaster Review By the Light of My Heart Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
P.S. I Still Love You

Title: P.S. I Still Love You
Author: Jenny Han
Series: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Easy reading, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Peter’s right.

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Synopsis

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

They had just been pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

Then another boy from her past returns to her life, and Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too.

Can a girl be in love with two boys at the same time?

Thoughts

The first half of this book I absolutely loved. It continued to build on the themes and storyline from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. It starts with Lara Jean and Peter beginning their own relationship and actually making a go of it. You know straight away that Gen is going to be an issue (after all, she’s the perfect teenage girl antagonist), but at the beginning it works really well. And then I started to get frustrated…

I enjoy Lara Jean’s confusion at the two boys – John and Peter. When you’re going through puberty and just discovering what it’s like to date boys, it can be incredibly confusing. And when more than one guy shows an interest in you, it’s hard not to return the favours. Regardless of the circumstances. The love triangle also helps to add a little spice to the story as things go from sweet to rocky in her relationship.

The reason that this story frustrated me so much was the second half. Lara Jean takes control of her relationship and life, and puts her foot down on the ways that she should be treated. And then she goes back to the guy that isn’t treating her right. It almost made me scream. I understand it to a degree, and part of me still loves Peter (although that may mostly be because of the movie), but it is kind of sending a message that people can treat you however they want. I know it’s something that I would never stand for, and I would hope that my friends and loved ones would have a little more self-respect under similar circumstances. Hopefully this will all make sense in Always and Forever, Lara Jean.

 <- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before ReviewAlways and Forever, Lara Jean Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

To Ease the Rage by C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Vampire RomanceTitle: To Ease the Rage
Author: C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Cops, Crime, Romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Could you change your number?

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Synopsis

Her partner died two years ago. And now she has a mysterious stalker. When her ex-partner comes back from the dead, she finds out that her life is about to completely change.

Thoughts

When I started reading this story, I didn’t really understand how it tied into the idea of vampire romance (since I found it in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance). It starts out with a cop who is being stalked. And I kind of assumed that this stalker was probably going to be a vampire… but still, it was probably the least romantic of the tales in this collection so far. At least at the beginning, the end had that za za zing that I’ve come to expect.

The premise that there are a bunch of rogue vampires running free, and that Tim is desperate to stop them with the help of his old partner was kind of fun. That it involves sex, romance and true and deep love just made it all the more intriguing. It did, however, annoy me a little that his condition was caused by a creepy little girl with a crush… but I digress, the story wouldn’t have happened without this catalyst.

All in all this was a fun and engaging short story that featured a vampire, sex and crime. There’s not really much more I could ask for from a vampirific short story.

 <- Coming Home Review Dancing with the Star Review ->
Image source: Goodreads