Review: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars rounded up.

Wow, here is a reaaaaaalllllyyy slow-starting book. It was extremely frustrating to have everything and everyone described in detail. The first half is infused with minutiae and inner dialoguing. The second half picks up.  I have to admit it does get somewhat exciting, but the subject matter is what could be considered a sensitive one.  (i.e. Snake Pit[book:Snake Pit|52803])  ([book:Ten Days in a Mad-House|1642216]) These books are a bit more modern than the era this author was writing about.

A typical mystery novel that has the heroine doing her best to get herself killed or, actually, worse and is always relying on someone else to get her out of her jams.   She is an independent woman for her time (1815), and some small allowances are made for her.

The ending was fairly vague and dissatisfying, at least for me. There really is no romance, but there are hints of a future one. There is a bit of Sapphic and homosexuality discussion, but nothing in detail.

*ARC provided by NewGalley, Mintour Books, and the author.

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SYNOPSIS: "When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London’s loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy."

Review: The Ball at Versailles: A Novel

The Ball at Versailles: A Novel by Danielle Steel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a brief excerpt of the book's recap, and it is exactly what this book is about:

"It’s the summer of 1959 and the Palace of Versailles is hosting an event that will make history. It is an exclusive dusk-to-dawn ball in which a select group of American and French debutantes will be presented to international society and royalty. Four young women, all with something to prove, receive what some see as the invitation of a lifetime."

Now, remember these women were born in the 1940s and raised in the 1950s, so this makes all of the difference to how this story plays out. This book is as much historical fiction as well as romance.

Ms. Steel hit all of the necessary tropes to keep this a romance.

We have the spoiled rich girl who hates her sister. Another not-so-rich girl who has lost her father and has a mother whose career may be in jeopardy. There is another girl who was horribly injured in an accident and who is extremely rich. Another is an overweight, very tall, and highly intelligent young lady. Another young lady whose antics may shock you.

But as you all know, this is a Danielle Steele romance, so we all can look forward to a happily ever after, even for some who may surprise you!

*ARC supplied by NetGalley, the publisher Delacorte Press, and the author.



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Review: One in Vermillion

One in Vermillion by Jennifer Crusie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, I can't find out anywhere if this is going to become a series or end as a trilogy (I wish it would become a short series, though). We finally got most of the answers to all of the burning questions we had, but I do think we need a little more explanation and a stronger look into some of the other relationships, like Liz and her mother. We get a brief glimpse into who Liz's father really was, but it just wasn't enough for me.

I want to see what happens to Anemone and George, Raine and Molly, and even what happens to
Cash.

But even if this is the concluding novel, it was a fun and adventurous one -well worth the time it will take to read all three books!
And let's face it, the cost, both from Amazon AND Barnes and Noble, makes these 3 books for the price of one!

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From the NY Times Bestselling duo that wrote Agnes and the Hitman, the third book in a new trilogy.

Liz Danger is stuck in her hometown of Burney, Ohio, because her insane employer has rented a house there for the summer, which means she has three more months of trying to get a copy edit done, babysitting a seven-year-old, and figuring out what to do with three hundred and ninety-two teddy bears. And then there’s her mother. Even the good news that she’s living with a hot cop is tempered by the knowledge that sooner or later, she’s going to have to figure out her future, and she still not sure what she wants that to be.

Vince Cooper is stuck in a town that keeps asking him when he’s going to make an honest woman of Liz Danger and in a job that’s just sunk into anarchy because of local and state politics that are kneecapping the police department, not to mention a biker gang and Liz’s ex-boyfriend who still hasn’t figured out that the ex part is permanent. Good thing he has Liz to come home to . . . until he doesn’t.

As Liz and Vince try to navigate their increasingly complicated relationship, they’re finding out startling new things about themselves and the town they’re trying to protect, and that means dealing with greedy politicians, arson, broken hearts (not theirs), vandalism, questionable real estate, murder, and a lot of soggy bears.
One in That red in the ledger isn’t just the ink.

Review: Courting Samira

Courting Samira by Amal Awad
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5 rounded down.


This is a re-print-this book was originally published in Australia. Be aware that there is a glossary of Arabic words and terms at the end of this book. I read it as an ARC and was not aware of this. Also, if you are an American, be aware that there are a lot of Australian slang terms used that don't show up as definable on the Kindle reader!

That being said, I did see a lot of similarities to Bridget Jone's Diary, but not an exact copy. Close. But not exactly.

I will also say that though this is a religious book, it is not hugely so. I did enjoy learning about the Arabic culture and more about the Muslim faith. I did not like the book for other reasons, and chiefly, it was because of Samira's cousin. What can I say? Sometimes, secondary characters are just as important in how they come off as the main characters are. I also didn't like how Samira treated her workplace; she spent more time on her personal business than actual work.

For people who are supposed to be adults, they spend an awful lot of time acting like teenagers. Perhaps that has to do with the culture.

All in all, this was a fast read, but not one that I enjoyed. I found no humor in it, just a lot of angsting and backstabbing.


*ARC supplied by NetGalley

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Set in Sydney, Australia, Courting Samira is a charming and frothy romantic comedy about a twenty-seven-year-old Muslim woman who finds herself in an unexpected love triangle—a sparkling ode to meddling best friends, traditional courtship, The Princess Bride, and, of course, the possibility of love. Coming from a moderately traditional Muslim family, twenty-seven-year-old Samira Abdel-Aziz has endured her fair share of arranged matches—first dates she calls “doorknock appeals,” where she and her possible suitors eat snacks in her living room in the company of both sets of parents. Her general no shoes with tassels, no cheesy leather jackets, no mustaches. A girl has to have some standards, right? The truth is, Samira is already experiencing enough wedding drama as an assistant at Bridal Bazaar magazine and as a gofer for her soon-to-be-married cousin and nemesis Zahra. She’s not sure she needs to add any of her own. When she meets the charismatic Menem at a work retreat, Samira finds herself intrigued. But her best friend Lara insists Menem isn’t right for her, and now her childhood friend Hakeem has begun behaving oddly. Adding to the confusion, Samira is offered a promotion, yet isn’t sure it’s the job of her dreams. Suddenly, her life is full of drama and complications, and she realizes that part of growing up is making difficult choices about what—and whom—she really wants.

Review: The Head That Wears the Crown

The Head That Wears the Crown by Mariah Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is being offered with Kindle Unlimited for free...well, you know how that works.

It is a cute light read that shows that fairy tales can come true even if you are a middle-aged woman.

This book did leave me with more questions, though, and some of the issues this author failed to answer frustrated me a bit.

This is my first time reading this author, and even with some of the plotting/editing problems, I will likely read more of her books

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Review: Gone Missing

Gone Missing by Linda Castillo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of the best mystery/suspense series with a female lead around. It's fresh, the characters are believable, well drawn and fleshed and likable, the series teaches about a different culture without being preachy and each new book in the series leaves me breathless. Ms. Castillo is an amazing author to have created something so finely written and something that you can rely on to keep you not only entertained but something that will engage your brain. This is no light fluff reading. This is cold hard murder set within a group of people that the rest of the world looks at as if they may be beyond this sort of thing. Of course, we all know better. Even the most naive of people are capable of the most heinous of murders and Ms. Castillo puts it out there.

With Rumspringa a young adult/teen is trying to find a way in their life. They are trying to see how the other half (the Englishers)live, what with our electricity, cars, drinking, naughty behavior between the sexes etc.

And someone has taken it into their own two hands to teach these kids a lesson.

As Kate and her sort of boyfriend John, try to help out at another crime scene - things start escalating with someone close to Kate coming up missing.

This book, nor any of the others are really for the faint of heart. Descriptive passages and vivid detail can bring you to your knees. But occasionally you can see the tender sides of both Kate and John emerge and that somehow makes it all worthwhile. This is not a 'romance' book, but there is romance in the air and that makes for a wonderful side story. Something to take the tension down a notch occasionally.

Clever plotting will leave you almost wondering just how the heck it ended as it did---be sure to read to the very last page. Ms. Castillo is sure to surprise you as she did me.

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Review: Born to Be Badger

Born to Be Badger by Shelly Laurenston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me start this review by letting you know that it does end on a bit of a cliffhanger. It's not a HUGE one, but just enough to make you want the next book in your hands. War is coming, and it ain't going to be pretty. But who exactly will be fighting against whom this time? That is the question.

This book can be read as a stand-alone, but if you do, be prepared to want to read the other books in the Badger series. There is just enough backstory to keep you in the know for this one.

Well, the MacKilligan sisters and their badger besties are at it again, and it looks as if, this time, they are not going to be working alone. Yep, the big bad Malone tigers are out for revenge, too!

There is so much 'stuff' and action (some of it without reason, it seems, but it's not )packed into this book that I can't even describe it to you, or I might spoil something. Just be prepared to be annoyed at the very vague ending from people you wouldn't expect it from!

Just remember that many of these characters have been in other books and other series by this author.

If you like Shelly's books, be sure to read her new series under her other name, A.K. Aiken. The Dragon series is fun, just a little steamier, and some are better than others . Also, try to read the newest series, "The Scarred Earth Series". There are three books in it so far, and it is super!

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SYNOPSIS: "The Honey Badgers are at it again in the New York Times bestselling and outstandingly witty, snarky, sexy, shape-shifting, world-building Honey Badger Chronicles. This time around, a family of clueless tiger shifter brothers have no idea how lucky they are to have caught the eye of three fierce honey badger females.

Emily “Tock” Meyerson-Jackson is on a mission to rid the world of shifters trafficking humans for hunting and cash. And now that she’s narrowed down her suspects to a brutal coalition of male lions, nothing will get between this honey badger and her prey—not even a dog-loving Tiger with absolutely no time management skills. Doesn’t matter that Shay Malone is ferociously adorable. With a war brewing between cat families, Tock doesn’t have time to lounge around with a football-playing tiger shifter. But when she realizes the coalition is also responsible for the death of Shay’s father, she’s forced to partner up with the flirtatious feline. . . .

 

Revenge is most definitely on the menu for Shay and his tiger shifter brothers. But when it comes to Shay’s alluring partner in crime-solving, so is seduction. Tock might be a bad-ass of a honey badger, but she’s awfully cute when she’s flashing her fangs, which she’s pretty much doing all the time these days. Good thing revenge is a dish best served hot. Because when it comes to Tock, Shay knows just how to turn up the heat. . . .

Review: Second Act

Second Act by Danielle Steel
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

 Expected release date: October 3, 2023.

The first third of this book deals with the raw deal Andy gets when a new corporation takes over the movie studio he heads, and you know all this just by reading the book's synopsis!

 But what you might not know, but guess at since this trope is one of Steel's favorites, is that Andy is going to be spending much of the first third of the book lamenting his life and angsting over what a perfect life it was.  Just generally being an annoying, bleak,  "poor me" type of character.

But never fear; after all, this is a Daniell Steel novel, and a happily ever after is coming for Andy in the shape of one Violet Smith and a career change.

I hate to say it, but you can tell most of Violet's secrets by paying attention to the book. It's obvious.

You learned quite a bit about the movie-making industry, which was interesting. 

There is the traditional bump in Violet and Andy's lives at the end of the book, but don't despair; there is a HEA! Naturally, or it wouldn't be a romance, now would it?

*ARC supplied by the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press, the author Danielle Steel, and NetGalley.

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SYNOPSIS: "In this gripping novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel, a top Hollywood executive seeks a new beginning when his career takes an unplanned turn.

As the head of a prestigious movie studio for nearly two decades, Andy Westfield has had every conceivable professional luxury: a stunning office on the forty-fourth floor, a loyal assistant who can all but read his mind, access to a private jet and company cars. The son of Hollywood royalty, Andy always put his career before his marriage, and now, besides his daughter and young grandchildren, it’s the only thing he truly loves.

But then Andy’s world is upended. The studio is sold, and the buyer’s son demands the top seat. Out of a job and humiliated, Andy spirals. When his head clears, he decides to get as far away from Los Angeles as possible until the dust settles and he can find a new way forward.

Andy signs a six-month rental agreement for a luxurious home in a tiny, forgotten coastal town two hours from London. When he arrives, he hires a local woman to help get his affairs in order. A former journalist, Violet Smith is at a crossroads as well, and this temporary job is exactly what she needs to tide her over. But when Violet leaves the manuscript of her unfinished novel behind after work one day, Andy lets his curiosity get the best of him and is captivated by a story that begs to be adapted for the big screen. Could this be the miracle they’ve both been looking for? 

In Second Act, Danielle Steel presents a heartening tale of how challenging times give way to opportunities and an original outline does not always contain the perfect ending."