Monday, January 11, 2010

David Eddings, The Diamond Throne (Book 1 of the Elenium)

Its so nice to read a book that doesn't annoy me.
This is high fantasy, knights, a bit of magic, intrigue and a queen to rescue.
There is nothing I can say to cram all of the things that were in this book into a summary.
I'll have to come back to this one just READ IT!!!

A Gentleman's Honor by Stephanie Laurens

ISBN: 0060002077
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.

This is the second book in the Bastion Club series. The Bastion Club is a private residence owned by friends who are all ex-agents for the government. They needed a last bastion from the dowagers of the ton.

Alicia is a capable, intelligent woman who after her family died had to pretend to be a widow to chaperon her sister to the ton. They could not afford to hire maids or other things that two young women who should be launched into society should have. Their hope is that she marries well and that they can pay off their debts, have money so their younger brothers can go to school and grow up well. They decide that they will not try to fool a man into thinking they are wealthier than they are and hope for a love match.
They design and sew their own gowns and are in general resourceful.
Tony is an ass, he has this moment of wounded male pride where he wants to force a confession from our heroine and has an intimate night with her. yeah... um ok whatever.

I was fine with the brooding hero but after that I barely finished the book. I felt let down by an author who has given better plot twists than this.

The Truth About Love by Stephanie Laurens

ISBN:9780060505769
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.

This Cynster novel is about a brother-in law to one of the first 7 Cynsters. So not technically a Cynster novel but it works.
There is a nice tragedy and a couple of murders to make the book a good read. Her accurate portrayal of society and the damage that the haute ton can do to people's lives makes a nice commentary about polite society.
Again an artistic intelligent woman but she is forced to live apart from the circles that she was born into because of scandal. Enter our nobleman artist commissioned ot paint her portrait. He has no interest in her only her family's famous estate gardens in honor of the greek gods. Intrigue ensues and a romance is born.

Keep the popcorn handy.

On a Wild Night Stephanie Laurens

ISBN: 0380812037
Disclaimer: I don't read romance novels normally, but when they are given to me i give them each a good read, usually with a bowl of popcorn.

This is another installment of the Cynster novels by Stephanie Laurens. This time its The story of Amanda Cynster. Her first 7 novels in the series dealt with each of her male cousins. I think she wanted to bring a female point of view into the male world but I have no way of knowing. Its a historical romance set in Regency England. Be prepared for horses and gentlemen of the ton.
Amanda is intelligent and far from helpless, along with beautiful. That's always helpful.
All in all a fun read and if you like your heroines smart, sarcastic, and capable; go read this.