Book Review: Vision In White by Nora Roberts

Book Review: Vision In White by Nora Roberts

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts cordially invites you to meet childhood friends Parker, Emma, Laurel, and Mac – the founders of Vows, one of Connecticut’s premier wedding planning companies.

After years of throwing make-believe weddings in the backyard, flowers, photography, desserts, and details are what these women do best: a guaranteed perfect, beautiful day full of memories to last the rest of your life.

With bridal magazine covers to her credit, Mackensie “Mac” Elliot is most at home behind the camera – ready to capture the happy moments she never experienced while growing up. Her father replaced his first family with a second, and now her mother, moving on to yet another man, begs Mac for attention and money. Mac’s foundation is jostled again moments before an important wedding planning meeting when she bumps into the bride-to-be’s brother…an encounter that has them both seeing stars.

Carter Maguire is definitely not her type: he’s stable, and he’s safe. He’s even an English teacher at their high school alma mater. There’s something about him that makes Mac think a casual fling is just what she needs to take her mind off dealing with bride-zillas and screening her mother’s phone calls. But a casual fling can turn into something more when you least expect it. And with the help of her three best friends – and business partners – Mac must learn how to make her own happy memories…




I really liked this book, with its unique characters unlike other romance rovels.

In other novels, the hero is tall, well-built, dominating, arrogant and knows how to seduce a woman. However, in this book, the hero is lanky, slighty sensitive, knows how to listen and stammers sometimes when he meets the heroine. He has the type of inner will which you don't really see in romance novels, be it in the heros or heroines. You can say this character is definitely NOT a sterotype, which somehow or rather makes him likable. Reading this novel has endeared him to me, and he has (unexpectedly) become the few heros that i like.

I am also very envious of the friendship betweeen the heroine and her 3 other friends. Through up and downs, they are still together for more than 10years, each with their own roles in the wedding business.

This book focuses more on the emotional feelings of both leads and there are plenty of dialouge between the characaters. The book was well written in the fact that it had told how both hero and heroine fell in love with each other. Instead of the usual "sparks flew and we got in bed etc." in typical romance novels, this was more of a "we got to know each other and the flame burned, slow but steady" type, which was really nice and a good change.

If you are tired of those romance novels' plots that are too unrealistic, not enough emotional description and despicting the hero as one not likely seen in real life and you want romance that ordinary people can find, then this book is just for you!

I was lucky enough to pick up this novel to read and hope that you'll might be too.

Rating: 4/5

Vision In White is Book 1 of the Bride Quartet series.

Book Review: Chalice Of Roses

Book Review: Chalice Of Roses

Romance and destiny intertwine in four all-new novellas inspired by grail quests-featuring two New York Times bestselling authors! From the bestselling and award-winning authors of Dragon Lovers comes an anthology of fantasy, romance, and eternal love. In these four novellas, history and destiny spark passion, and everything depends on the fate of one mystical cup: the Holy Grail. A young woman must find her love to summon the Grail to bring peace to England; a Regency lady must keep it safe from Napoleon's spies; a modern sorceress must keep the Grail from falling into Nazi hands, and an American must put the chalice at risk to rescue her one true love. These are four passionate and enchanting stories of desire and destiny inspired by one of our most powerful legends







This is a collection of short stories, total 4.

I was ...  This book has highlighted to me why i dislike collections of short stories. There are many things which i do not like, and i can name them aloud:

1) There is no room for character development. Seeing that there is a limited amount of pages, it is almost certain that the stories do not dive into the characters, their background etc. It makes sure that the characters are flat, there is no 'dimension' about them.

2) It's too fast. Almost all the stories proceed for about 2-5 days. And in one story, the hero and heroine just fell in love/ wanted to get married after meeting each other ONCE in real life! (One has to discount the "dreams" they had of each other)

3) It starts with the hero/heroine searching for the Holy Grail in every story, since that seems to be the theme. I find it ridiculous that they (hero and heroine) would want to get the Holy Grail for (something like) saving their country. It is just pushing the boundaries i set for Paranormal Romances (not in a good way). Plus the stories aren't told nicely, it was too fast, hence I didn't like this book.

In conclusion, seeing that i have no good things to say about this book, i'll give this  2.5/5. Not one i would want to re-read it.

Book Review: Crystal Clear by Nell Dixon

Book Review: Crystal Clear by Nell Dixon

Sometimes you have to go back to move forward...


For years Zee has tried to ignore her real name (who calls their kid Azure Dawn?) and her mother Marla's alternative lifestyle. A million miles away from all that new-age nonsense, she's got a reliable teaching job, a perfect life plan and sensible accountant Simon for a fiance. But when Marla gets sick, the foundations of Zee's rock-steady world are seriously shaken. Soon she's back home, in touch with the boy who broke her heart and even being sucked into one of her mum's hare-brained schemes. What about Zee's plans for the future?! Could they ever include a free-spirit from her past?







This is written in a first person view. I mainly like those in second-person but i think this book has been written fairly well.

I like Zee but not that much. She cares for her mother, after spending some time together, albeit a little too much. Especially when Zee realise her mother is intent on carrying out "crazy ideas". So she tries to stop it but fails. Then she meets Drew, her ex-boyfriend. Hormones fly about BUT Zee feels uncomfortable with the fact that she has a fiance so why the hell is she still feeling the attraction for another guy?!! Simon, Zee's fiance, is her way to a perfect (in her mind) life but it seems that not all is perfect.

 Problems arise.

Add an ex-boyfriend and a stranger (or is it?) into the mix and what do you get?

A up-and-down with some random things thrown in between and woa-lia! A chocolately, sweet book. But there are places where it's bitter.

Let's start with Drew. He is kinda an ass (before i mean), when he abandoned Zee for something else. Then 9 years later he appeared. So-called intruded onto Zee's life... Really not liking his actions at that time, though his *coughs* looks raised himself A BIT on my indictor.

However, it's good. The book is quite interesting. Though your eyes won't really be glued to the words, there's a warmly feeling when i read finish this book.

YET there are still things that i wish the book could contain.

Simon could appear face-to-face with Zee for the break-up. I mean what if it is really a misunderstanding?? What if the "excuse" Zee thought was actually the truth? It would be better if he actually appear since just going by Zee's thoughts is not enough. And i also think that the proposal is a little too rush; there's not enough time for Drew to actually realise that he's still in love with her.


You will like this book if you go for family-themed books which uses a first-person view and the characters are not really written in depth most of the time but does quite well in other aspects

Rating: 3.25/5

Book Review: A Dangerous Love, by Brenda Joyce

Book Review: A Dangerous Love, by Brenda Joyce

A Dangerous Obsession

Torn from his Romany mother's arms as a small boy, Viscount Emilian St. Xavier has spent a lifetime ignoring the whispers of gypsy that follow him everywhere. A nobleman with wealth, power and privilege, he does not care what the gadjos think. But when the Romany come to Derbyshire with news of his mother's murder at the hands of a mob, his world implodes. And Ariella de Warrene is the perfect object for lust and revenge....

A Dangerous Passion
Ariella de Warenne's heritage assures her a place in proper society, though as a radical and independent thinker she scorns her peers' frivolous pursuits in the Ton, fashion and marriage. Until a Roma camp arrives at Rose Hill, and she finds herself drawn to their charismatic leader, Emilian. Even when he warns her away, threatening that he intends to seduce and destroy her, she cannot refuse him. For Ariella is just as determined to fight for their dangerous love…

May contain Contains spoilers!!! Read at your own risk!!
Rants included!

I can't believe this...

Emilian (the hero) keeps pushing Ariella (the heroine) away. He gave warnings to her that he won't give back her love. But Ariella, just having the reason that de Warennes fall in love hard and fast [eg: a once-in-a-lifetime love], keeps coming back to him. Even though he failed her time and time again. I don't know if she is stubborn or machoist. I can't believe how she can tolerate the treatment Emilian gave her [... though to be fair, Emilian did not lead her on]!

Okay, i realise that this is kinda bias BUT i have to continue.


I still can't understand why Ariella choose to be with him. He has baggage, i know, which is what many heros have. But still! How can she bear to let him leave her side to a place that she don't even know where he's going and for how long! And look at the way he treated her! Even when he left her, he still came back BUT just for a night in bed. And he expect that it won't change a thing. What a dumbass.

Urg.

I really really really want to *hands forming the strangeling hold* AHHHhhhh!

And this is something that i read with great relish.

She might even be with her Prince Charming, but he intended to accept it and be glad for her. He only hoped that they could finally be friends.

He would settle for her friendship now.

Hah!

It seems that without a loss of something or someone being hurt, love will become like the shrivelled leaves on a dead tree in the coming years. So i wonder if it is worth it, to love and be hurt along the way.

He would settle for her friendship now.

Stupid, stubborn man.

Damn it. This is the first time i had felt this strongly against a book.... And the last time, if i could help it!

So, no. I won't be giving any ratings for this.
Those who read this may get eye pains from the amount of dislike spilling from their eyes.

So approach only at your own risk!

Book Review: The Stolen Princess, by Anne Gracie

Book Review: The Stolen Princess, by Anne Gracie

She's fast becoming one of my favorite authors. It was a stroke of luck that i was able to read this book.:D

The younger son of an earl, Gabriel Fitzpaine earned glory and honor on the battlefield, but now, without purpose, he finds himself deliberately courting danger at every turn. Then one night he races his horse along a death-defying moonlit cliff-and stumbles upon a princess on the run.

It's an amazing blend of a strong willed heroine and a sensitve yet macho hero. ;)
Really liked how the story goes. It's almost as if i'm watching the story unfold before my very eyes, like i'm just standing in front of them!

Callie is running away from the people who wants to hurt her son to gain the throne. She's afraid for Nicky and so decides to hide in her ex-governess home. However, she meets with some obstacles, leading to an encounter with Gabriel.

So she hides in his house for a few days. And this is on the second day:

She delibrately slowed her pace and stopped to stare earnestly at a flower. She had no idea what it was; she'd never been good at botany, but he didn't know that.

He stopped beside her and waited. She felt the warm wash of his gaze flow over her. And ignored it. She stared hard at the flower. He bent and peered it over her shoulder.

"Fastinating," she murmured, trying not to be aware of the proximity of his big, masculine body.

"Utterly," he agreed fervently. "Something special, do you think?"

She frowned thoughtfully over the small, blue-flowered plant. "It could well be," she said, hoping he was no botanist.

"It definitely could be," he agreed. "If only creeping charley was not regarded as a weed in England." He paused a moment, then added, "Shall i get someone to pull it out before it spreads, or would you rather paint it or press it in your Weeds of England scrapbook?"

She continued the walk in dignified silence. He strolled along beside her.

I was smiling all the way while i copied this. :)
It's really a great book. One designed to make you smile. 4 out of 5. It's a good past time when you have nothing else to do.

Hope you enjoy it,
Ed

Book Review: A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

Reaaaally like all of Kleypas' historical romances ^_____^

The best i think i the Wallflowers series.

In A Wallflower Christmas, it's like a sequel of the series, except it's told from Hannah's (heroine) perspective. Annabelle, Lillian, Evie, and Daisy are back again to conquer the world!! YAY!

Here's the summary:

It's Christmastime in London and Rafe Bowman has arrived from America for his arranged meeting with Natalie Blandford, the very proper and beautiful daughter of Lady and Lord Blandford. His chiseled good looks and imposing physique are sure to impress the lady in waiting and, if it weren't for his shocking American ways and wild reputation, her hand would already be guaranteed. Before the courtship can begin, Rafe realizes he must learn the rules of London society. But when four former Wallflowers try their hand at matchmaking, no one knows what will happen. And winning a bride turns out to be more complicated than Rafe Bowman anticipated, especially for a man accustomed to getting anything he wants. However, Christmas works in the most unexpected ways, changing a cynic to a romantic and inspiring passion in the most timid of hearts.


Anyway, an excerpt from the book,

"..There is something i must talk to you about first." Damn it, there was a quaver in her voice, despite her attempt to sound calm and dignified.


Marcus's expression changed as he heard the distress in her tone. He pulled her up to face him, and he stared down at her with instant concern. "What is it, my love?"


Lillian took a deep breath. Another. Her fear and anger and worry were so great, it was hard to force the words out. "I...I should not stand in the way of your ... pursuits outside marriage. I know that. I understand how it is with your kind... I mean, you've done it for centuries, and i suppose it was too much for me to ask that you--that i--would be enough. All i ask is that you be discreet. Because it isn't easy to watch you with her--the way you smile, and--" She stopped and covered her face with her hands, mortified to feel tears springing to her eyes. Bloody hell.


"My kind?" Marcus sounded bewildered. "What have i done for centuries? Lillian, what the hell are you talking about?"


..."Lady Kittridge"


There was a short, shocked silence.


...He gave her a little shake. "Lillian... Am i to understand that you think i have a personal interest in her?"

... "..tired of me," she said, her voice cracking. "That you want someone else."
Marcus stared at her and let out a string of curses.."Come with me."...

He took her across the courtyard, to the stables.
Lillian blinked in surprise. "A white Arabian?".. "She looks like something out of a fairy tale."
He gave her a sardonic glance. "She's your Christmas present."
"Oh." Lillian was suddenly breathless.
"It's taken me six damn months to make the arrangements," Marcus continued curtly. "Lady Kittridge .. is very particular about whom she'll sell one of her Arabians to. And as this horse been promised to someone else, i had to bride and threaten the other buyer, and pay a bloody fortune to Lady Kittridge."
"And that's why you've been communicating so often with Lady Kittridge?"
"Yes." He scowled at her. .. "And in return for my pains," he growled, "I'm accused of infidelity! I love you more than life. Since i met you, I've never even thought of another woman. And how you think i could have the desire for someone else when we spend every bloody night together is beyond my powers of comprehension!"
.. She was filled with a combination of giddy relief and alarm. "Marcus, every thing's settled. I believe you. I'm not at all worried now."


"You should be worried," he said with chilling softness. "Because it's clear that unless there are consequences for this lack of faith in me this problem may arise in the future. So I'm about to remove any doubt about what i want and from whom."

.."Come here," he said quietly, his expression implacable.
... He kissed her, his mouth rough and greedy... "Marcus," Lillian gasped, "I'll never doubt you again ... Oh, God..."

He smiled privately against her hair... "See that you don't," he muttered.

*cheeky grin* Hehehee

Oh wasn't that so romantic? Especially

I love you more than life. Since i met you, I've never even thought of another woman.

Hahaha, which is more than what the real man nowadays would do.

*dreamy sigh* Lisa Kleypas's heros are always soooooooo alpha-ish (In a good way). *grin*


Goodbye amigos!

Book Review: Weddings from hell

Book Review: Weddings from hell

Some marriages are made in heaven . . . Some are not.

What happens when "the happiest day of your life" turns into a nightmare? Forget the drunken best man or the bridesmaid dresses from the '80s . . . none of these wedding day disasters can compare to a cursed bride determined to make it down the aisle, or a vampire who is about to disrupt your wedding.

Join New York Times bestselling authors Maggie Shayne and Jeaniene Frost, USA Today bestseller Kathryn Smith, as well as Terri Garey in four unforgettable tales of unholy matrimony . . . where the grooms are dark, dangerous, and mostly dead, and to love and cherish till death takes on a whole new meaning.


The first story starts off by Maggie Shayne, Till Death. About a descendant who was cursed by her ancestor t to die by her husband's hands should be betray her (having an affair).

I didn't like this story. I think the author was more used to writing novels than a 91 page short story. I get the feeling that she's rushing. The love between Kira (heroine) and Ian (hero) was like a wham-i-love-you! type of story. The story focuses on the curse and the heroine trying to get rid of the curse than the love story between Kira and Ian.

So, no. I didn't like this.



The second story is the reason why i borrowed this book. (Title: Happily Never After)

JEANIENE FROST!!!!!!!!!!!

She is the author of the Night Huntress Series and you won't be disappointed when you READ IT!!


This story is great, great, GREAT! Absolutely book-tastic! Plus Bones is in it!!! XD Oh how i love Bones *sigh* He's just the perfect man. *dreamy sigh* Nearly fainted when i saw Bones' name in the story XXDDDD Hahaha!


For some, their crush is





But i will never stray from my crush!!! Never!

Trust me on this Bones! Believe me!!




This (great!) story is about vampires. Here's the blob: To save her brother, Isabella is about to reluctantly walk down the aisle with Mr. Dangeroulsy Wrong ... unless Chance, a dashing vampire, can derail this wedding of the beauty to the beast.


Then the excerpt concerning Bones!!!! (XD ahahaha!)

The old woman smiled. "Do you know what you two are?" she asked in an amused voice. ...

"Yeah, we're the guys robbing you!" the one with the knife snapped.

"No," said a voice from the other end of the alley, an English accent decorating his words. "You're dinner."


Before the two could blink, they were dangled by their throats from pale, rock-steady hands. One was yanked close to the black-clad figure. The stranger's eyes changed from brown to glowing green as he dipped his head to the exposed throat. The youth's partner in crime, still hoisted aloft, could only make terrified grunts as he watched fangs pierced his friend's neck. ....

The stranger wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and then pulled the old woman to him. ...

"I was thinking you'll be hungry Bones..."

He chuckled. .. "Same old Greta. Always finding ways to please her blokes."

Bones' beautiful face hadn't change with time.. Time ...had no power over the blond vampire standing in front of her.

The appearance of Bones!!!

I just fell harder in love *shiny eyes*

Great story!!!!


The third story i skipped.

The forth is by Kathryn Smith, The Wedding Knight. It is set in the historical times. Hero is a vampire, the heroine is a woman who fell in love with the hero and sets off to make him fall in love with her. This is a bit confusing, especially with the plot about the hero's ties with an organisation. But i like the ending.


Even with Jeaniene Frost's (great!) story, i will (reluctantly) give the book a 3 out of 5. The other 3 stories weren't what i wanted when i choose a paranormal book. Too rushed! :(

But still enjoyed reading HAPPILY NEVER AFTER!

A Quckie: Scandal in Spring, by Lisa Kleypas

After spending three London seasons searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman's father has told her in no uncertain terms that she must find a husband. Now. And if Daisy can't snare an appropriate suitor, she will marry the man he chooses—the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.

Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, and she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. But she doesn't count on Matthew's unexpected charm . . . or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she has always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.

But right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered . . . one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy's wildest fantasies.



I ABSOLUTELY LLLLOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEE THIS BOOK!!!!!

*Dreamy sigh* Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite authors in both historical and contemporary romances. You GOT to read it!!

One of her books that i would recommend to you if you like contemporary romance is Blue Eyed Devil. Me and my friend just can't stop reading it! XD

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, ohmygosh,ohmygosh *fanning myself* i can't (thank god) stop reading it!!! You must must MUST READ LISA KLEYPAS BOOKS because they'll blow your mind.

---- It's irrelevant, i know but i can't stop myself from writing!! >__< HERE for my past review on BLUE EYED DEVIL! --


An excerpt from Scandal of Spring (not Blue Eyed Devil) :

Matthew Swift, the cool and self-possessed young man Daisy Bowman's father wants her to marry, has just forcibly removed Daisy from a scandalous parlor game. To save her reputation, Matthew has just turned down the opportunity to kiss Daisy in front of everyone. However, instead of thanking him, Daisy is furious . . .

“Why did you do that?” Daisy demanded, rounding on him immediately.

“Take you away from the games?” Disconcerted, Matthew adopted a censorious tone. “You shouldn’t have been there, and you know it.”

Daisy was so furious that her dark eyes seemed to be shooting sparks. “Where should I have been, Mr. Swift? Reading alone in the library?”

“That would have been preferable to causing a scandal.”

“No it wouldn’t have. I was exactly where I belonged, doing exactly what everyone else was doing, and everything was just fine until you ruined it!”

“I?” Matthew couldn’t believe his ears. “I ruined the evening for you?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

She glared at him accusingly. “You didn’t kiss me.”

“I . . .” Caught off-guard, Matthew stared at her in bewilderment. “I did kiss you.”

“On the hand,” Daisy said scornfully, “which means absolutely nothing.”

Matthew wasn’t certain how he had been so abruptly derailed from self-righteous superiority to affronted protest. “You should be grateful.”

“For what?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I saved your reputation.”

“If you had kissed me,” Daisy retorted, “it could only have improved my reputation. But you rejected me publicly, which means Llandrindon and Mardling and all the rest know there is something wrong with me.”

“I didn’t reject you.”

“It certainly felt like rejection, you cad!”

“I am not a cad. If I had kissed you in public, then I would be a cad.” Matthew paused before adding in baffled irritation, “And there is nothing wrong with you. Why the devil would you say that?”

“I’m a wallflower. No one ever wants to kiss me.”

This was too much. Daisy Bowman was furious because he hadn’t done the thing he had craved and dreamed of for years of his life. He had behaved honorably, damn it all, and instead of being appreciative she was angry.

“ . . . am I that undesirable?” Daisy was ranting. “Would it have been so disagreeable?”

He wanted her for so long. He had reminded himself a thousand times of all the reasons he could never have her. And it had been a hell of a lot easier to bear knowing she detested him and there was no reason to hope. But the possibility that her feelings might have changed, that she might want him in return, filled him with a dizzying thrill.

Another minute of this and he would become unhinged.

“ . . . don’t know how to do whatever it is women are supposed to do to attract men,” Daisy was saying irately. “And when I finally had a chance to gain a little experience, you--” She broke off and frowned as she saw his face. “Why do you look like that?”

“Like what?”

“As if you’re in pain.”

Pain. Yes. The kind of pain a man felt when he had lusted after a certain woman for years and found himself alone with this woman and then had to endure her complaints that he hadn’t kissed her when all he wanted was to tear her clothes off and have her right there on the floor.

She wanted experience? Matthew was ready to give her the experience of a lifetime. His body had become so unbearably hard that the brush of his trouser fabric was enough to make him wince. Struggling to control himself, he concentrated on breathing. Breathing. But there was only more arousal, until red mist had gathered at the edges of his vision.

He wasn’t aware of reaching for her but suddenly his hands were on her, hooked just beneath her arms where the yellow satin was permeated with the warmth of her body. She was light and supple, like a cat . . . he could lift her so easily, pin her against the wall . . .

Daisy’s dark eyes were wide and startled. “What are you doing?”

“I want the answer to one question,” Matthew managed to say. “Why did you call my name in there?”


Emotions crossed her face in rapid succession . . . surprise, guilt, embarrassment. Every inch of exposed skin turned pink. “I don’t know what you mean. Your name was on the paper. I had no choice but to--”

“You’re lying,” Matthew said tersely. His heart stopped as she refused to reply. She wasn’t going to deny it. Her flush deepened to crimson. “My name wasn’t on that paper,” he continued with great effort. “But you said it anyway. Why?”

They both knew there could only be one reason. Matthew closed his eyes briefly. His pulse was so hot and fast that its reckless momentum stung the insides of his veins.

He heard Daisy’s hesitant voice. “I just wanted to know what you . . . how you . . . I just wanted . . .”

This was temptation at its most brutal. Matthew tried to make himself let go of her, but his hands would not release the slim curves encased in yellow satin. It felt too good to hold her. He stared at her exquisite mouth, the subtle but delicious indentation in the center of her lower lip. One kiss, he thought desperately. Surely he could have at least that. But once he started . . . he wasn’t certain he could stop.

“Daisy . . .” he tried to find words to defuse the situation, but it was difficult to speak coherently. “I’m going to tell your father . . . at the first opportunity . . . I can’t marry you under any circumstances.”

She still wouldn’t look at him. “Why didn’t you tell him so right away?”

Because he had wanted to make her notice him.

Because he had wanted to pretend, just for a little while, that the thing he had never dared to dream about was just within reach.

“I wanted to annoy you,” he said.

“Well, you did!”

“But I never considered it seriously. I could never marry you.”

“Because I’m a wallflower,” she said sullenly.

“No. That’s not--”

“I’m undesirable."

“Daisy, would you stop--”

“Not even worth a single kiss.”

“All right,” Matthew snapped, finally losing the grip on his sanity. “Damn it, you win. I’ll kiss you.”

“Why?”

“Because if I don’t you’ll never stop complaining about it.”

“It’s too late now! You should have kissed me back there in the parlor but you didn’t, and now that you’ve doomed any chance I’ll ever have of being kissed by anyone else, I’m not going to settle for some half-rate consolation prize.”

“Half-rate?”

That had been a mistake. Matthew could see that Daisy realized it the instant she had said it.

She had just sealed her fate.

“I-I meant to say half-hearted,” she said breathlessly, trying to wriggle away from him. “It’s obvious you don’t want to kiss me and therefore--”

“You said half-rate.” He jerked her hard against him. “Which means now I have something to prove.”

“No you don’t,” she said quickly. “Really. You don’t--” She gave a little cry as he clamped one hand behind her neck, and all sound was muffled as he tugged her head to his.

*Dreamy sigh* Oh, if i could only meet this type of man in real life. . ...

YOU MUST READ IT!!! OR ELSE I WILL COME TO HAUNT YOU!!
Da-dump Da-dump


*I realise this is can't be even called a review but i don't care. This is my blog, i choose to write what i want. I don't care what you think, as long as you read it. So suck it up if you don't like me writing this *Bleh*


And another quote that i really like,

Most lives are not distingushed by great achievements. They are measured by an infinite number of small ones. Each time you do a kindness for someone or bring a smile to his face, it gives you life meaning. Never doubt your value, little friend

And i shall end off here. :)
Enjoy it!
Ed

Book Review: Delicious, by Sherry Thomas

Book Review: Delicious, by Sherry Thomas


Famous in Paris, infamous in London, Verity Durant is as well-known for her mouthwatering cuisine as for her scandalous love life. But that's the least of the surprises awaiting her new employer when he arrives at the estate of Fairleigh Park following the unexpected death of his brother.

Lawyer Stuart Somerset worked himself up from the slums of Manchester to become one of the rising political stars of England's Parliament. To him, Verity Durant is just a name and food is just food until her first dish touches his lips. Only one other time has he felt such pure arousal—a dangerous night of passion with a stranger, a young woman who disappeared at dawn. Ten years is a long time to wait for the main course, but when Verity Durant arrives at his table, there's only one thing that will satisfy Stuart's appetite for more. But is his hunger for lust, revenge—or that rarest of delicacies, love? For Verity's past has a secret that could devour them both even as they reach for the most delicious fruit of all...


This is a unique piece of work. I mean, it started off like this,

In retrospect people said it was a Cinderella story. Notably missing was the personage of the Fairy Godmother. But other than that, the narrative seemed to contain all the elements of the fairy tale.

There was something of a modern prince. He had no royal blood, but he was a powerful man—London's foremost barrister, Mr. Gladstone's right hand—a man who would very likely one day occupy 10 Downing Street.

There was a woman who spent much of her life in the kitchen. In the eyes of many, she was a nobody. To others, she was one of the greatest cooks of her generation, her food said to be so divine that old men dined with the gusto of adolescent boys, and so seductive that lovers forsook each other as long as a single crumb remained on the table.

There was a ball; not the usual sort of ball that made it into fairy tales or even ordinary tales, but a ball nevertheless. There was the requisite Evil-ish Female Relative. And mostly importantly for connoisseurs of fairy tales, there was footgear left behind in a hurry—nothing so frivolous or fancy as glass slippers, yet carefully kept and cherished, with a flickering flame of hope, for years upon years.

A Cinderella story, indeed.

Or was it?

It all began—or resumed, depending on how one looked at it—the day Bertie Somerset died.

If, like me, you are bored of the usual historical romance, why don't you try this out?

The starting of the book is really unlike any other, "A Cinderella story, indeed" :)

Now, onwards to my thoughts:

The plot is unique for this type of historical romance, usually it's a woman who is forced to marry someone else etc, rather than a talented cook. Verity is a determinded woman, facing the odds stacked against her and walking out alive. I admire women with strong backbone, though she somehow, weirdly, turns into putty in Stuart's embrace. Stuart is like a businessman, one who want needed to be at the top. But he still makes stupid mistakes when it comes to Verity (which i dislike him for it)

They have a past before, not that Stuart had put together that the women past and now were the same one. I'm not going to tell you what it's about, otherwise you would know the whole story! You just have to read it to find out ;)

There's also a side romance with Lizzy Bessler and Will Marsden. I think i like Lizzy. "Think" because although she is vain, she knows that she is (she thought so herself!), better than other people that purposely act cute and all the other irritating stupid things about them..... *mumbles*

Here's the excerpt

Some part of her .. still persisted in thinking of herself as irresistible, her glances and smiles as perilous as daggers and quicksands.
Oh, well. Oh, the vanity.

And, despite being unable to marry Stuart (for some situation i'm sure you'll be able to guess), she lets goes of him, allowing to chase his _______ (<- fill in the blanks please). She DID NOT hang over him, forbidding him to do any other thing other than marrying her, which is a step higher than most selfish, lying ***** women characters will do. Ending off, though the book was interesting, i will not want to read it again. The reasons: 1) I dislike the choice Verity had to make near the end. 2) Though the narrative was quite interesting, compared to many others, it has not reached the "WOW" point in my head. 3) I just wanted to tell you that though i wrote i did not want to read it again, Delicious might be the one for you. ... Great, now i'm contradicting myself....

Enjoy reading,
Ed.

C.J.'s Fate, by Kay Hooper

This is the first book review post of this year. Hope you enjoy this book and the rest that i will introduce you to! :)

Here's the cover plus the summary.





C. J. Adams, who'd been teased about her seeming lack of interest in men, one day impulsively embraced a handsome stranger, pretending they were secret lovers. Then the man seized the moment to deepen the kiss—and aroused in her a passionate need she'd never expected. Had destiny somehow tossed them together?



Usually, i feel that most of Hooper's books, which are those thriller kinds, did not really let me enjoy them. However, i really like this book. There's humor and romance which when mixed together makes it an enjoyable book that i can read all year round. Especially when it is able to cheer me up. :)

She paused to stare down the hallway toward the elevators. That was when she saw the man, and a wave of uncharacteristic recklessness surged through her. Along with a wild idea.

Well, why not? There was enough romance jammed into her history-inclined mind to fake a romance. Wasn't there? A mysterious stranger and secret meetings...star-crossed lovers, perhaps? And at least it would get her friends off her back.

The man was tall, casually dressed in sweater and slacks, and moved with easy, loose-limb grace.

C.J. took a step forward, catching the startled stranger's hand and drew him quickly towards her. Looking up at him with an unintentionally bewitching smile, she said in a low, breathy voice just loud enough for her friends to hear," Darling, I'm so glad you could make it after all." Before the girls could see his bemused expression, she pulled him swiftly into the room.

She ... said sweetly toher stunned friends " Excuse us ... please." And gently shut the door.

C.J. ... lips curved into a delighted smile as the silence outside broke into a babble of disbelief.

Hahaha! Wasn't that fun!


This was why i got to read the rest of the book.

If you enjoy sweet romance with humor in between, then this is the book for you.

3.5 out of 5