The Trouble with Honor...And there is a lot of Trouble: Reviews

dear readers,

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR
(Cabot Sisters: Book 1)
Written by Julia London
genre: historical romance

3 STARS 

Honor Cabot has never wanted to fall the rules and living under stepfather's roof and money allows the eldest Cabot daughter some freedom.  Now that her stepfather is on his deathbed and her stepbrother is to marry her rival Honor is being forced to marry.

Knowing all the consequences she goes to a well-known rake, George Easton to have him woo Monica, her sister-in-law, so she can break off the engagement.  Instead Honor falls for George but of course he keeps her at an arm's length.

I have to say I could not like Honor Cabot no matter how much I tried.  She was very selfish and a bit of a bully.  I felt bad for her rival, Monica who we were supposed to see as the bully and selfish.  George Easton was also self serving so I guess in the end they made a good pair.  The last half of the novel dragged a bit in trying to get a HEA ending. As much as I like Julia London's writing I will not be continuing with this series.


love,
kris

Homecoming Ranch - Review

dear readers,

(I received an ARC from the author/publisher/NetGalley/ in exchange for an honest review).

HOMECOMING RANCH
(Book 1)
written by Julia London
genre: contemporary romance, series

4 STARS 

In Homecoming Ranch Leo Kendrick tells us about Pine River, his brother, Luke and the legacy left by Grant Tyler.  When once wealthy Grant Tyler is fatally ill he finds out due to his last divorce the only asset he now has is Homecoming Ranch.  He tells his lawyer, Jackson, to leave the Ranch to his three estranged daughters, Madeline, Emma and Libby.  

The last several years have been hard on Luke Kendrick first with his brother's illness and then his mother's cancer and death.  After six years he has graduated from college and is trying to make a career in Denver.  He is again called back to Pine River when he learns that his father and Leo are no longer living at Homecoming Ranch.

Madeline Pruett has never known her biological father and has been raised by her irresponsible mother.  While her career is going well her personal has never taken off.  When she decides to go to Colorado to see what her father has left her she also runs away from her possible romance with Stephen.

Madeline finds out she has two sisters she never knew about and has been left a ranch she does not want.  Luke wants to get the ranch back for his father - Bob made a desperate and trusting deal with Grant - but finds himself distracted by Madeline.  Madeline finds herself postponing her trip home as she finds Pine River growing on her and Luke breaking down her walls.

I enjoyed Julia London's previous contemporary romance the Lear Family trilogy so was excited when I saw Homecoming Ranch.  Right off the bat I will say that either you will love the heroine, Madeline, or be really annoyed with her.  She is Type A to the extreme and does get on your nerves after awhile.  Leo, Luke's brother, is the one telling us this story and his voiceover is prominent and sarcastic.  I liked Madeline and thought she was a realistic character.  I liked Leo too, but often found him a bit too much.  A good contemporary romantic novel and promising series.

love, 
kris

Novella of a Good Time: Reviews

dear readers,

I am still not feeling to great but am getting better.  Tomorrow I might even get out of p.j.s - baby steps. I am a bit quarantined right now so I don't spread this to my loved ones.  I am missing my love but have had more time to read. As I was napping here and there I decided to read some novellas I have lined up on my TBR.  For me novellas are hit or miss - but with the explosion of novellas coming out for series as a sample of what is to come - I have been liking them a bit more.  I still would prefer the full-length novel but novellas are starting to tied me over.  Fortunately, this round of novellas were great...

Looking for a stand alone contemporary romance novella...

THE BRIDESMAID 
written by Julia London
genre: novella, short fiction, contemporary romance, romantic comedy

4 STARS

 Kate Preston loves her job as an assistant editor in New York even if it does not pay well.  What she does not like is the hideous maid of honour dress her cousin and best friend has picked out for her to wear.  As she wrestles the dress on the plane to Seattle nothing from then on seems to go right.  First her seat meat hogs the seat rest, then there is turbulance is on the plane causing them to land followed by the air-controllers going on strike. When the last of the cars are taken, Kate is forced to carpool with Joe her plane seat mate.  As they race across the country to make it to Seattle love seems to be in the air.

Julia London's new novella is a fun romantic comedy.  It is short but has all the ingredients for a great contemporary romance.  I loved the romance between Joe and Kate and the banter they have on the trip. I strongly recommend this short fiction to all romance readers.

*BRIDESMAID was released October 1, 2013

Looking for a contemporary romance part of a series novella...

A December Bride

(A Year of Weddings: One)*

Written by Denise Hunter

genre: novella, short fiction, contemporary romance

4 STARS

Five hours till Layla's cousin's wedding her date comes down with strep throat.  Normally she would not mind attending a wedding on her own but not when her cousin is marrying her ex-finace.  Out of options Layla asks Murphy their mutual friend, and the person she blames for her cousin and fiance getting together.  Murphy in a moment of anger tells Layla's spoiled cousin, Jessica that he has asked Layla to marry him on Christmas eve.   Layla angry wants Murphy to retract but then she is given an opportunity for a job offer because of her relationship with him.  While they try to pretend to be love Murphy hopes that it can become a reality.

A cute romantic story.  I hate when a friend or family member thinks is okay to steal a boyfriend.  It makes me a bit anxious for the heroine as they usually have to still be apart of that cheater's life.  I do get a nice glowing feeling knowing that Layla's ex will have to live with Jessica all his life.  Murphy is the kind of guy romance readers long for and does not disappoint.

*A Year of Weddings are novellas for each month and are written by different authors.  Right now I am reading, A January Bride.

**This novella is part of Denise Hunter's Chapel Springs series - Layla's brother, Beckett's story.
*** A December Bride was released November 26, 2013

Looking for a suspense mystery part of a series novella...

The 7th Month

(D.D. Warren: Book 5.5)

Written by Lisa Gardner

genre: novella, short fiction, contemporary, suspense, mystery

4 STARS

At seven months pregnant D.D. Warren has been taken out of the field to man the office.  When a movie producer asks for her help on consulting on a movie she says yes just to get out of the station.  But the moment she hits the set she finds out the former police consultant has been found murdered.  Now she has to go to the set and figure out why he's dead and who did it.

This short fiction is rather good with suspense and mystery.  D.D. is her ornery observant self.  Pregnancy does not slow her down.  On the romance front D.D. has to decide whether she will move in with Alex.

* The 7th Month was published in January 2012.

** I will be reviewing Lisa Gardner's Fear Nothing (Book 7) in the D.D. Warren series tomorrow 

Looking for a stand alone paranormal romance/holiday novella...

A VAMPIRE'S CHRISTMAS CAROL

written by Cynthia Eden

genre: novella, short fiction, contemporary, paranormal romance

4 STARS 

 

Ben Prescott, a vampire, hates Christmas and the joyous season that comes with it.  SInce losing his love he stalks in the shadow offer his own sense of vengeance.  His latest kill brings about three spirits that ask Ben to look at his life and change before his soul is gone forever.

A great retelling of Dickens' Christmas Carol with a lovelorn vampire as scrooge.  Eden takes a story known by all and gives it a twist to engage her Paranormal Romance readers.  It is a short tale certain to please. 

A Vampire's Christmas Carol was published November 5, 2013.

*I was given an advance copy of Bridesmaid, A December Bride and A Vampire's Christmas Carol (from NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

love, 
kris