Romance Reading Challenge 2009 Wrap-Up

I thought this challenge was going to go a lot faster then it did. I thought I read more romance then I actually do, it seems. But nonetheless, I agreed to 5 books and I ended up with 9.

My List:
1 The Wednesday Letters - Jason F. Wright (completed 1/04/09)
2 Where the Heart Is - Billie Letts (completed 1/06/09)
3 Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict - Laurie Viera Rigler (completed 1/09/09)
4 Time of My Life - Allison Winn Scotch (completed 1/17/09)
5 No Rest for the Wicked - Kresley Cole (completed 2/05/09)
6 Upon the Midnight Clear - Sherrilyn Kenyon (completed 2/10/09)
7 One Silent Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon (competed 2/12/09)

8 Outlander - Diana Gabaldon (completed 2/19/09)

9 One Deadly Sin - Annie Solomon (completed 4/16/09)

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

On holiday in 1945, ex-British nurse, Claire Randall, accidentally travels back in time, to 1743. She leaves behind a loving husband and a comfortable 20th-century existence, and finds herself in the midst of skirmishing Scottish clans, brutal British captains, and the hardships of life in the 18th century.

I know I’m a bit late to this party, as I think everyone I know has already read the Outlander series or is in the process of doing so, but I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful I found this book to be. There is just so much going on in this story - fantasy, romance, history, adventure. And it was all neatly wrapped up into this epic tale of love that transcends time. WoW!

I did find it a bit wordy at times... sometimes the descriptions enhanced the story, as when describing the Scottish Highlands in all their splendor, but there were times where I found it hard to focus on the page-after-page depictions of each intricate dark corner of a castle or prison.

I read that Ms. Gabaldon said that this was not meant to be the story of a romance, but the story of a marriage. What a profound statement! Marriage is not love and happiness all the time; it has it's challenges. I feel that she does a very good job of illustrating a true marriage.

I strongly recommend this to anyone who loves a well-written story.

... and thus begins my love affair w/ Jaime and Claire Fraser... I believe I have 6 more books to go.

One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Bad boys need lovin’ too!

This is the story of Stryker - yes, Strykerius (tormentor of all things Dark-Hunter, Acheron and Nick Gaultier related). Yet I thoroughly enjoyed reading the bad guy’s side of the story.

In this story we were able to get a glimpse of the romance between Stryker (all around Dark-Hunter nemesis) and his first-wife Zephyra (she’s a total bwitch). Upon reading this you see Stryker in a whole new light and why he is the way he is. Yes, Stryker, was human at one point. He was a child, he loved, he made mistakes... he was/is a man. I found myself feeling sympathy for him and understanding a little more of the world that Sherrilyn Kenyon has created.

Although it can be a bit confusing with all the Greek mythology she normally intertwines with her storylines, this book (I think) is like a new era for the Dark-Hunter series. Sherrilyn is involving a lot of new and different characters that I can’t help but anticipate the day when we get to read their stories.

For those of you who are fans of the Dark-Hunter series, this book felt like an intermediate point, where she just filled you in on information that she was unable to incorporate into any of her other stories. If you have not read a Dark-Hunter novel before than this definitely is not the book you want to start the series on (definitely read some of her older stuff and I’m sure you’ll get snagged along with the rest of us into this world).

But intrigued I am! With all the new hotties characters that she is introducing I can’t wait to read the next installment.

Upon the Midnight Clear by Sherrilyn Kenyon

This is the second Dream-Hunter novel that I've read and although I am a huge fan of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s - I was sorely disappointed by this one. It’s lacking in a lot of things. Her characters weren’t developed enough for you to actually grow fond of them. Aidan was just to whiny and needy for me to like him, and Leta just never really amounted to much when it counted either.

Too much happened in too short of a time period. It didn't feel very believable and it almost felt more like a chore to read rather than a delight for the mind. If nothing else, this book was used just to fill us in on some of the background information on Zeus’ curse on the Oneroi.

When you see this book, it seems short for a paperback. When you open it, it seems REALLY short for a paperback - they have used double spacing, wide margins, and a large font. Now, either Kenyon's publisher is formatting books for her older, more myopic fans, or this was a short-story that was made into a novel. Add a little padding and a huge font and, presto-change-o, you have a very short paperback that you can still sell for the full paperback price. Grrrrrrr!

On the bright side though, at the end of the book there was a short story called Holiday Gatherings - It brought back some of her other characters and was really a treat to read.

If you haven't read any of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books, I would suggest to stay away from this book. Start off by reading the "Dark-Hunter" series and then make your way to this new Dream-Hunter spin-off.

No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole

This is the second book in the Immortals After Dark series. This is the story of Kaderin the Cold and she has met her mate in a vampire (which she starts off not being too happy about)- Sebastian. The story takes us from one adventure after another throughout the globe as Kaderin and Sebastian are competing for the grand prize in the Hie. In this story we once again hear from Emma and Myst and learn more about the Lore. You are also introduced to the characters for her next book. I love that about these books - that, and that you always seem to get a glimpse of the lives of those characters you previously enjoyed.

The story is full of action, adventure and steamy romance. These books are part of my guilty pleasures (along with all Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon books).

Another enjoyable, can't-put-it-down, interrupt-me-and-you'll-be-sorry page turner.

Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch

Time of My Life was a bit reminiscent of Family Man, but I loved it anyway. This book is based on the question "What If?" I became totally engrossed with Jillian's story from the first page. When Jillian goes to her masseuse and has her chi unblocked, some very unexpected things happen. For one, she wakes up seven years earlier in bed, in her old apartment, and still in a relationship with her ex-boyfriend - no more husband, nor toddler, nor house in the suburbs. The best thing of it all, she remains with all the knowledge from her real life in the future... thus being able to avoid old arguments, get work done more efficiently and without the stress, be prepared for important life altering moments, etc. It was fun to see how every action had a reaction, thus changing her present and, of course, her future. More importantly though, it raised some very good points - like being true to yourself and not changing who you are or what you believe in for your partner, instead to compromise. As well as how important communication is in relationships. I was curious to see how things would turn out the second time around and will say that I had a tough time trying not to cheat and just look at the last couple of pages to see how it would end. All in all, this was very funny, thought-provoking and a joy to read. I highly recommend it.

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

This was such a fun and witty novel. In short, Jane Austen meets Quantum Leap. Courtney Stone (hip, modern, LA girl) wakes up as Miss Jane Mansfield in Regency England -in none other than Jane Austen’s time! It’s funny because I myself have wondered a time or two (or three) what it would be like to live in one of my favorite novels. Well, I’m sure there is nothing fun about the lack of plumbing, or body odor!, or anesthesia?!? for that matter. Yes, when you look at it that way, I am sure there is nothing romantic about living in another era. But nonetheless, Courtney makes the best of it, making friends, finding a love interest in Mr. Edgeworth and eventually coming to terms with "if you’re given lemons, make lemonade." =)

This was a nice, easy read. There are plenty of references to Pride and Prejudice along with several similar circumstances that you can also associate with Austen’s novels. I loved that Jane Austen herself had a cameo appearance (which was hilarious)! Lots of fun for fans of Austen's literary brilliance and a clear tribute.

Once again, I would like to send a shout-out to Jennifer at bookclubgirl and Laurie Viera Rigler for hosting the giveaway that allowed me to win this autographed copy. Thanks so much ladies - it was a pleasure to read.

Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts

Novalee Nation is seventeen and seven months pregnant when the father of her child abandons her at a Walmart halfway across the nation from anyone she knows. The story of Novalie's life is so beautiful - she overcomes so many obstacles (from being abandoned by her mother as a child to living and giving birth in a Walmart, etc.) yet always looks on the brighter side. She goes through the good, bad, and ugly. I laughed and I cried. It just goes to show that friends can be just as much your family as those who are blood-related to you, sometimes they are even more so. Through Novalee the reader is introduced to a variety of lovable and eccentric characters who teach her that home truly is Where the Heart Is.

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

This is such a feel-good book. This is the story of three siblings who come home in order to bury their parents. They find boxes and boxes of letters written by their father to their mother every Wednesday for the past 39 years of their marriage - Wednesday Letters. This is the legacy left to these grieving children and in these letters they find truths, forgiveness and love.

I will say there was a time or two where I was actually sobbing - but I'm a sucker for a love story. It was a very sweet story with some twists at the end that you didn't see coming. I liked the ending and I especially liked that the Epilogue was in an evelope at the back of the book. I thought that was so fitting and mainly why I bought the book to begin with. I originally bought this book before Chrismtas Jars and hadn't had the opportunity to read it before - but can I say that I really like Mr. Wright's books. His writing is simple and I really like that. I can't wait to make a trip to the bookstore and get his newest title - Recoving Charles. Not to mention, he also took the time to actually comment on my blog. What an honor!

Romance Reading Challenge '09

Read on for the rules:

1. Now, "Romance" isn't limited to steamy Harlequin novels. There is a huge selection of books in this category such as contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance to name a few. As long as the story has romantic love between the two main characters your selection will fit this challenge. The novels do not need to have a happy ending either, there can also be unrequited love.

2. Choose at least 5 novels read them between Jan 1st though Dec 31st 2009. You can change your choices at any time. Crossovers between other challenges are fine.

3. Read them at your own pace in 2009 then come here and post the link to your review(s).