5 Minute Review: And One Last Thing... by Molly Harper

And One Last Thing... by Molly Harper: A RITA finalist for Contemporary Single Title

A misdelivered Rose Romance Special Deluxe floral arrangement is what tips Lacey Terwilliger off to the fact her husband has been cheating on her with his secretary. She's done everything for him over the years, from cooking, cleaning, and writing the company newsletter. Well, after confirming the affair, the next company newsletter is definitely newsworthy and quickly goes viral as Lacey tells the world exactly what her husband is. 

She gets slammed with a defamation lawsuit and, on advice from her lawyer, hies herself to a family cabin to avoid making a bad situation worse. Her neighbor is cranky Monroe, a man who has preconceived notions about divorced women, and makes it clear he wants nothing to do with Lacey. That's fine with her as she tries to figure out her future and who she is without her husband. Monroe soon learns he's misjudged Lacey and Lacey learns that some dreams never die.

Adultery is one of my reading no-nos, so I never added 'And One Last Thing...' to my TBR. However, I really enjoyed Harper's 'How to' werewolves books and since 'Last Thing' was nominated for a RITA, I gave it a chance.

I had a plan. I was going to go grab Subway and then go home to eat & watch a bit of television. After that, I would curl up in bed and start reading. But I am a red light reader (it's one of my pet peeves about e-readers, the fact that they are not easily read when in a non-moving car). I pulled it out of my bag and started reading it at the lights. Then I got to Subway, pulled into the parking lot, and kept reading. My stomach was rumbling, my throat was dry, but I kept saying, 'one more chapter.' And then it was, 'I'm almost finished, I should just keep going.' I read the whole damn thing in, literally, one sitting, about an hour and a half.

Molly Harper has a very deft hand with humor. I enjoy a book that's heavy on snark and wit, and this book fits the bill. Lacey never spirals into a bitter mess and makes sensible decisions after her initial emotional reactions. Her relationship with her brother is fun to watch and I loved how she didn't take any crap from the hero, Monroe. Monroe stayed cranky throughout the whole book, but it was an understandable cranky and he fights for her in the end. The ending was also not a fairy tale, yay-new-beginning, ending, but more of a let's-see-it-goes ending.

I really recommend this book and I think it would be a great beach/vacation read. I've now read 7 of the 8 RITA Contemporary Single Title nominees (I'm still missing 'One Fine Cowboy' by Joanne Kennedy). It's really a close call for me between And 'One last Thing...' and 'Lead Me On' by Victoria Dahl. If the winner is not one of the two, I'd be very surprised. 

Monthly Tally: April 2011

From TBR Journal

1. Collision Course, Zoe Archer - So far I haven't boarded the Zoe Archer fangirl bus. I think I simply haven't been in the right mindset and I'll definitely give her another shot one of these days.
2. Mona Lisa Eclipsing, Sunny - Much better than the last two.
3. Chosen by Blood, Virna DePaul - Interesting debut. Looking forward to seeing more from her.
4. A Borrowed Scot, Karen Ranney
5. Secrets of a Proper Countess, Lecia Cornwall
6. The Peach Keeper, Sarah Addison Allan
7. Chasing Fire, Nora Roberts
8. The Sweetest Thing, Jill Shalvis
9. Seduce Me in Dreams, Jacquelyn Frank
10. Darkness Dawns, Diane Duvall
11. You're Finally Here, Melanie Watts - I love meta picture books. It's a Book by Lane Smith and We're in a Book by Mo Willems are two of my favorites.
12. Clarity, Kim Harrington
13. Counterfeit Magic, Kelley Armstrong
14. Kiss at Your Own Risk, Stephanie Rowe - Really good. I regret not picking it up earlier and I'm looking forward to the next one.
15. Just One Taste, Louisa Edwards
16. The Light Princess, George MacDonald - A rather odd old fairy tale.
17. The Laird Who Loved Me, Karen Hawkins
18. Wicked Harvest, Anita Lynn McLeod
19. Scenes from an Impending Marriage, Adrian Tomine
20. Not That Kind of Girl, Susan Donovan - RITA finalist for Contemporary Romance
21. Simply Irresistible, Jill Shalvis

ARCs

1. Baby, Drive South, Stephanie Bond, 5/2011- This book felt like a bit of wasted potential. The backstory was very intriguing: a small town is leveled by a tornado and three brothers begin to rebuild it, using only green construction methods. However, the main conflict was the discord between the hero and heroine. It didn't get resolved until close to the end, leaving me feeling like 'Where did that come from?' but I did still want to read the next book in the series.
2. My Dangerous Pleasures, Carolyn Jewell, 6/2011
3. Baby, Come Home, Stephanie Bond, 6/2011- Come Home was better than Drive South, but still fell a little short of the mark. Again, things weren't resolved until the very end and there were only tantalizing glimpses at the rebuilding efforts. Also, the supporting character of Rachel annoyed the daylights out of me. I feel like Bond has the potential to be an excellent contemporary author, but hasn't quite found the right book yet.
4. As You Wish, Gabi Stevens, out now
5. Bodyguards in Bed, Lucy Monroe, Jamie Denton, and Elisabeth Naughton, 6/2011

Books Read Along the Way:

1. Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon by Kate Hewitt 
2. Unchained, Sharon Ashwood - A RITA finalist in Paranormal Romance. I'm not sure why this one wasn't in my TBR because Scorched is and this was good. Definitely an unique addition to the genre.
3. Born on the 4th of July by Jill Shalvis, Rhonda Nelson and Karen Foley
4. Love is Blind, Lynsay Sands
5. Bet Me and Crazy for You by Jennifer Crusie - April was a tough month me for so I needed some comfort and re-read some of my favorites.
6. Heart Mate, Heart Thief, Heart Quest, Heart Change, Heart Dance, and Heart Journey by Robin D. Owens- About once a year, usually near the summer, I go on an Owens kick. I cannot WAIT for Heart Search in August. I'm crossing my fingers that the ARCs gods are kind to me.
7. Pink Satin, Jennifer Greene
8. Black Magic Woman, Christine Warren - I think this didn't make the TBR because I thought it was another Ellora's Cave rewrite, but it was actually a new story. It was good, but I'm definitely so over winged protectors.

I also got Small-Batch Baking for Chocolate Lovers by Debby Maugans and loved it so much, I bought a copy. I haven't read it all the way through so I'm not counting it yet. Highly recommended, though.

Category Totals

Romance: 29 + 5 ARCs

Science Fiction: 1

Fiction: 1

Young Adult: 1 

Graphic Novels: 1

Picture Books: 1

Children's: 1

Year to Date: 116 books, 26 ARCs

Monthly Tally: March 2011

From TBR journal

1. Captured by a Rogue Lord, Katharine Ashe- I'm not really one for historicals, but I whizzed through this one. Quite good. 
2. The Knitting Diaries, Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery & Christina Skye- Wasn't wowed by this one. I felt the stories were stifled by the shorter format and I was pretty lost with the Macomber story since I haven't read the Blossom Street books.
3. River Marked, Patricia Briggs - I was creeped out by the otters. Big time. 
4. Lover Unleashed, J.R. Ward - The first book I really liked since Butch's. I also kinda forgive her now for the book that shall not be named. 
5. The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf, Molly Harper - Harper's writing demonstrates a wonderful sense of humor. 
6. Navarro's Promise, Lora Leigh
7. Live Wire, Lora Leigh
8. Harvest Moon, Robyn Carr
9. A Lot Like Love, Julie James - Going by the blurb, I didn't think I was going to like this one and I was proved very wrong. Another excellent contemporary.
10. Primal Bonds, Jennifer Ashley
11. Hunger Untamed, Pamela Palmer
12. Fated, Rebecca Zanetti
13. Demon Song, Cat Adams - I love love love this series. I even forgive it for being the first person. These are great books, although they lean more to urban fantasy/sci fic than romance. Read them anyway.
14. Ice Breaker, Deirdre Martin -  I have a weakness for sport books. Did not like this one, however. My displeasure was centered around the relationship between the hero & heroine, but I can't get more specific than that. It just didn't feel right.
15. Harry Potter and the Deathly Boring, Stefan Petrucha and Rich Parker - A graphic novel parody. Would be suitable for young boys.
16. Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, Lee Wardlaw
17. When I Grow Up, Al Yankovic - I think I was expecting it to be a little more tongue in cheek, but it was a cute picture book. 
18. One Enchanted Evening, Lynn Kurland
19. Skin Tight, Ava Gray - I'm a big fan of this series now. It's Dark Angel-esque. 
20. Over the Rainbow, E.Y. Harburg
21. How to Knit a Love Song, Rachel Herron
22. Master of Fire, Angela Knight
23. Sinful, Charlotte Featherstone -  I did not like the ending. At all. 
24. Undercover, Lauren Danes
25. Sleepless in Scotland, Karen Hawkins
26. Emerald Wand of Oz,  Sherwood Smith
27. Pavement Chalk Artist, Julian Beever - An amazing book. This artist does sidewalk chalk art that, when viewed from a particular spot or through a camera lens, looks 3D. 

ARCs

1. Moonlight Cove, Sherryl Woods, out now
2. Kiss of Snow, Nalini Singh, 5/2011
3. Savage Nature, Christine Feehan, out now
4. An Affair Without End, Candance Camp, out now
5. Beach Lane, Sherryl Woods, 5/2011
6. Malled, Caitlin Kelly, out now - This was a fantastic look at what it's like working in retail.
7. Blood of the Maple, Dana Marie Bell, out now - A really unique twist on the vampire/paranormal bit. I really enjoy this author's work.

I did a bit of re-reading, mainly J.D. Robb. March was an insanely crappy month so I was seeking comfort from old favorites.

Category Totals

Romance: 18 + 6 ARCs

Science Fiction: 2

Nonfiction: 1 + 1 ARC

Graphic Novels: 1

Picture Books: 3

Fiction: 1
Children's: 1

Year to Date: 82 books, 21 ARCs

5 Minute Review: Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon by Kate Hewitt

Zoe and the Tormented Tycoon by Kate Hewitt: A RITA finalist for Contemporary Series Romance

Notorious British party-girl Zoe Balfour has discovered that she is illegitimate. She travels to New York to find her father and she crosses paths with Max Monroe at a charity benefit where one thing leads to another. After a one night stand, Zoe ends up pregnant, but Max, gradually going blind, can't handle the idea of commitment and the changes it brings. Zoe and Max must figure out who they are and who they want to be.

I am a sucker for books that feature a heroine or hero with a physical disability. Once again, though, I had difficulties. Zoe illustrates another problem I have with categories, the continuing series. Since the book is so short, Hewitt doesn't spend a lot of time on Zoe's backstory, making the assumption you have read the previous books in the Balfour Brides series. I never particularly got invested in her transformation from Paris Hilton-type party girl to Carol Brady mom-to-be. Max, the hero, was a bit easier as I was predisposed to be sympathetic towards him. However, his blindness was relegated to an excuse rather than a legitimate plot device. There was no explanation as to what Stargardt's disease is. According to Wikipedia, it's a real disease that is genetically inherited and the symptoms usually begin between ages six to twelve. Zoe is twenty-six and the assumption is that Max is older. So why did Max's disease pick now to kick in? Who did he inherit it from? Wouldn't the baby now be susceptible to the disease? While Max was doing his whole 'Woe, I'll never see my kid's face' routine, shouldn't the possibility this would affect the kid occur to him?Aside from this issue, the writing was decent. I think this was simply another case of the author being handicapped by the category format.

5 Minute Review: Born on the 4th of July by Jill Shalvis, Rhonda Nelson, and Karen Foley

 Born on the 4th of July by Jill Shalvis, Rhonda Nelson, and Karen Foley

Three novellas, all featuring male military heroes and the women who love them. 'Friendly Fire' tells the story of two best friends who become more when the hero returns home with severe injuries. The hero comes home on leave to wrap up his father's estate in 'The Prodigal' and he finds the past is always where you leave it. A fresh start is all the hero wants in 'Packing Heat' and he knows exactly the woman he wants by his side.

I got this anthology from the library as the first short story has been nominated for a RITA. Full disclosure, I don't normally read categories because it takes me about 15 minutes to finish them and I'm usually left wanting more. Categories are great for launching others and for people who just want a quick escape, but I enjoy a story I can sink my teeth into.

'Friendly Fire' by Jill Shalvis is the RITA nominee, a finalist for Romance Novella. The reader is literally plopped into the middle of things. The story opens with the heroine using the hero's showerhead to, ah, relieve tension and he catches her. They've been friends forever and now that he's returned injured from a military mission, it's the catalyst they need to take things to the next level. I thought it was cute for the most part, but I didn't particularly agree with the way they portrayed his hearing loss. The hero's loss is supposed to be somewhat temporary, but he's already reading lips, which can be difficult to do. Perhaps he already had this skill in his repertoire, but it's never mentioned.

'The Prodigal' by Rhonda Nelson was a typical Prodigal Child returns after Hated Parent dies and meets the Surrogate Child who's the Prodigal's better half. In this case, it was the hero returning on leave and the heroine is the one who was keeping the home fires burning. They went to high school together, which is the existing relationship that their newfound romance is based on. I thought this one was mostly okay until the end when the hero has to go back to his unit, but he doesn't want to leave the driveway because it means he's leaving her. That was really touching. Things aren't magically solved, but they acknowledge their feelings and end it with an 'until later.'

I'm not sure what to say about 'Packing Heat' by Karen Foley. I think this is a story that would have benefited from being expanded into a full novel. The premise is simple. The heroine works for the hero's mother. A picture of the hero in his military uniform is the mom's desktop. Heroine immediately falls in lust and offers to send him care packages. Mom says 'Hey, why don't you have your class adopt his unit?'  Hero is touched by the packages (no word if anyone else in the unit gets anything) and starts communicating with the heroine. And all I can think is, 'What about the kids? Did he ever write them back?'  Without the pretext of the kids, I felt like the heroine basically manipulated the mom into hooking the heroine up with the hero. Since I was already doubting the heroine's motivations, I called bullshit on the hero's 'meet me in a hotel' maneuver. It came off as a little sleazy. He just happened to order room service that came with chocolate sauce and other multipurpose-able edible delights?  I don't think the author intended for it to come off that way and she was constrained by the shortened format, but I'd be hesitant to pick up another book by her without a solid rec first.

Public Service Announcement: Please keep your shoes on.

Dear Customers,

The summer months are coming and I know your wardrobes are changing to reflect that. Shorts, tanks, and flip flops are all reappearing and with that reappearance comes the urge to kick off your shoes & curl up in a chair with a book. Please, however, refrain from doing it in my bookstore.

Here's the bottom line. Those carpets you're walking on sans shoes? Steam cleaned maybe twice a year. The chairs you're sitting in with your feet tucked beneath you?  We clean the obvious stains, wipe up any coffee that's been spilled, but other than that? Hah.

Also, there's a cafe here. Where we serve food and beverages. You wouldn't walk into a coffee shop without shoes on, so why do you do it in a bookstore? Generally speaking, the adage of 'No shirt, no shoes, no service' applies in many, many different commercial locations.

So when I politely tell you to put your shoes back on, please don't give me a dirty look. You should know better.

Hoping it sinks in this time,

Me.

5 Minute Review: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis (out now)



Maddie's mother, Phoebe, was a free spirit who chose to follow the Grateful Dead on tour and live in a run-down resort. Maddie barely knew her mother, having been sent to live with her father when she was five. Her relationship with her two half sisters, Tara and Chloe, is only marginally better. Cut adrift from her life by circumstances beyond her control, Maddie seizes the opportunity her mother's passing provides. She is now one-third owner of Lucky Harbor Resort. She travels to the small town on the Washington state coast to rebuild her life and her relationship with her sisters. On her way there, she nearly hits Jax on his motorcycle. She doesn't think it's an auspicious beginning to her new start, but Jax knows the hand of fate when he feels it...

This one sat on the piles for a while. Something about the back blurb put me off. I think it has something to do with the way it made Maddie sound. I really wasn't interested in reading about another down-on-her-luck 'woe is me' heroine. That's not what this was, at all. Maddie spent less time complaining about her lot in life and more time searching for the strength to change. She didn't wait to be rescued, she wanted to save herself. Towards the book, when Jax offers her a way to fix all her problems, she doesn't take it. Jax is very understanding, almost unbelievably so. He's like the perfect man: smart, rich, and successful. He even deals with his angst in a healthy manner.

The supporting characters were equally interesting, even though the future couples were painfully obvious. Three sisters and three best friends? Gee, I wonder. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on 'The Sweetest Thing', Tara's book, because I'm pretty sure about something and I want to see if I'm right. Read 'Simply Irresistible' for the story as a whole rather than simply the relationship between Jax and Maddie.