Though I didn't title it as such, I did a lightning log back in March. Since then, I've confined myself to long-form reviews. But then I made my monthly pilgrimage over to Tara Marie's book list, and it occurred to me that some readers might appreciate a basic review list with no frills... a TBR index, if you will.
So. My rating scale is in the sidebar, if you need a refresher. If I did a longer review of the title in question, there's a link to it. I arranged the books by rating. Unless you loathe the author or genre, you should check out the "superb" titles. I think the "very good" books are definitely worth a glance, too. If you like an author or genre, you should exercise your discretion over the "good" ones. As always, this list represents my own personal opinion... but I flatter myself it will be useful for the rest of you!
A Great and Terrible Beauty – Gothic Young Adult (Libba Bray) – Superb
The Runaway Heiress – Historical: Western (Stef Ann Holm) – Superb
A Hunger Like No Other – Paranormal (Kresley Cole) – Superb
Ex and the Single Girl – Chick Lit (Lani Diane Rich) – Suberb
To Wed a Scandalous Spy – Regency, 1st in series (Celeste Bradley) – Superb
One Night With a Spy – Regency, 3rd in series (Celeste Bradley) – Superb
Surrender to a Wicked Spy – Regency, 2nd in series (Celeste Bradley) – Very Good
Three Little Secrets – Angsty Regency, 3rd in trilogy (Liz Carlyle) – Very Good
Time off for Good Behavior – Chick Lit (Lani Diane Rich) – Very Good
She Woke Up Married – Contemporary (Suzanne MacPherson) – Very Good
Undressed – Contemporary (Stef Ann Holm) – Very Good
His Every Kiss – Regency, 2nd in trilogy (Laura Lee Guhrke) – Very Good
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6 comments:
Hmm. Let's see--I've read some of these...most of the Celeste Bradleys. There's one I haven't really been able to get into...but it's older. THE CHARMER. I read these others and would rate them good-to-very-good. The Carlyle I'd put at superb--I really liked it, but I may be one who likes angst a bit more than you.
I have SHE WOKE UP MARRIED--need to pull it out of the TBR pile and get it read. I've heard similar comments about A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER--I'm not a big vampire fan, but it's sounding like it might be one I'd like to read.
A "Yikes" on the TAPESTRY anthology--care to expand on why? Just wondering. (I don't generally care for novella anthologies myself--novellas are just too dang short for me...)
Okay, a few I need to look for. Thanks.
Gail
You totally got me on the Carlyle! I like very specific doses of angst... more Bentley Rutledge, less secret baby.(Flitgirl has different feelings about that classic plot, however, so it's good that we blog together!)
Still, I think Carlyle is an EXCELLENT writer and this will be in my collection as soon as I can pick it up at a UBS.
With the TAPESTRY anthology... there's a couple of things going on there. I picked it up because I really like Madeline Hunter and I'm always looking for a good medieval. Her story, I thought, was excellent.
I didn't make it through the last story, because at that point I just felt disenchanted and moved on to another book. But the other two stories were confusing to me. I consider myself to be a pretty astute reader, but I think those novellas were part of a larger series and the lack of background knowledge made them too difficult to enjoy.
I'm all for intricate back stories and subtle references in a series. But, while novellas are a great place to tell a minor side character's story, I don't think they should rely heavily on readers' previous information. (See Celeste Bradley in SCANDALOUS BRIDE for a good example of how to accomplish this).
I suppose I should also post a disclaimer at some point on this site that, at one point in my studies, I seriously considered trying for a PhD in medieval history. I am a pickier medieval reader than most... which is one of the reasons I love Madeline Hunter. She really nails the intricacies of the time period. In particular, her treatment of the relationships between nobles and merchants in London is particularly fascinating.
P.S... I've never read a paranormal before, but I really liked this one. It was savvy to actual mythology and the realities of modern living, with some real creativity thrown in. I'm waiting with breathless anticipation for the author's next book in the series!
Kate, why must you mention my SECRET, SECRET SHAME! If I could keep myself from loving secret baby plots, I would. Now I really want to read the Carlyle (though I wasn't loving the other "Little" books). And, dammit, I'd given up on Bradley. Roping me back in, grumble, grumble, grumble.
If Bradley you must, I recommend TO WED A SCANDALOUS SPY. Great angst... my kind of angst, but I think you'll like it.
Secret babies are great, Flit. There's nothing to be ashamed of!
Gee, I didn't think anyone actually visited my Just The Books, blog--LOL. I was really bad updating it last month, now, I need to keep it up to date.
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