New template...

Hey people :)

As you can see, I changed my template :) I really liked the previous one, but long story short, I had to change it mainly because of the background, but I also think it was time :)

So what do you think? I really like the background, but the font and accent colors were hard to choose  ^_^; I also changed a bit the layout of things - as in, changed codes. I hope everything is fine! Do you think the font colors are okay?

Please let me know what you think :) and if there's any modifications I should make or if there is something that is not working! Thank you!!

Hauling Sunday XXIX

Don't you think that week-ends are too short? I know it's only Sunday today, but I'm not ready for it to be the last day of the week-end. I haven't recovered from my week yet or started cleaning up ^_^; Also, I'm dreading going back to work, because it seemed we're having a problem. Sigh.

Okay, let's think happier thoughts! :) And there's nothing happier than books :) Another pretty good week for me :) And I assure you, I did show some restraint... not much, but some :P

Unveiled by Courtney Milan - I've read Ms Milan's debut novel and liked it enough. I've been planning to read more of her, Trial by Desire sitting in my TBR pile. I was going to wait till I finished that one to get Unveiled, bu it's been getting really good review and I had a 5$ off coupon on a purchase of 35$ and more... So why not?

Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh - This was the release of the week, that I really wanted :) No need to say more, right?

The Countess by Lynsay Sands - Another book that has been getting good reviews :) And with Avon books being 11$/each, I've been buying them all with coupons. (Only exception is Scandal of the Year, but I got that one with a gift card :P)

Here to Stay by Catherine Anderson - Hmmm, I've read and enjoyed some of Ms Anderson's books in the past, so I picked this one up in order to be able to use my coupon. Yes, everything revolves around coupons :P

Absolutely, Positively by Heather Webber - I really enjoyed this series so far and can't wait for this installment!! :)

Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis - I'm giving another go at Ms Shalvis' books. Hopefully, this one will be the one :)

And there you go, my haul for this week. At the beginning of the month, I thought I was doing so well... Now? There's no way I'm going to have a negative balance in my monthly reads post LOL.

Review: The Perfect Mistress by Victoria Alexander

Oookay. I was only planning to jot down a few notes about The Perfect Mistress by Ms Alexander, but it flowed so well it has already turned into a review... I'll take it, LOL!

Before getting to the review though, I want to ask... Anyone think this blurb sounds familiar?!? I have a nagging feeling that perhaps this book was meant to be published by Avon a few years back, but they decided not to? Ah well, it could just be me :)

One last thing... Wow, looking at this book, I swear it looks like a book published by Avon. The texture of the cover (mat instead of glossy), the inside flap with the couple embracing on a couch... I wonder if it's Kensington's new strategy to attract more readership to their historicals?

Okay, the review now :)


The Perfect Mistress by Victoria Alexander

published by Kensington Zebra in January 2011

A dazzling new romance in which one otherwise proper lady discovers the passion that is her legacy...

Widowed Julia, Lady Winterset, has inherited a book—a very shocking book—that every gentleman in London seems to want. For a charismatic businessman, it’s a chance to build an empire. For a dashing novelist, it could guarantee fame. But to a proud, domineering earl, it means everything...

Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, can’t let the obstinate Julia release the shameless memoir that could ruin his family’s name. But the only way to stop her may be equally sordid—if far more pleasurable. For his rivals are intent on seducing the captivating woman to acquire the book. And Harrison isn’t the sort to back away from a competition with the stakes this high. Now the winner will claim both the scandalous memoirs and the heart of their lovely owner...

Genre: Historical romance
Series: TBA

The Story: I think the blurb is being overly dramatic ^_^; Julia, Lady Winterset, has been widowed for three years and has financial troubles. She has recently inherited "The Perfect Mistress," her great-grandmother's memoirs. Indeed, Lady Hermione was quite scandalous back in her lifetime, becoming a widow at a young age and deciding to live her life as she wanted. These memoirs seem to be Julia's solution to her problems, as it is a well known fact that scandal sells.

However, Harrison Landingham, Earl of Mountdale, is not enthusiastic at the idea since his father is a chapter in the memoirs. Harrison has worked hard to keep his family scandal-free and he intends to keep it that way, which means acquiring the memoirs and destroying it. Not unsurprisingly, Harrison's offer is refused after he was an ill-mannered boor and thus, he has to come up with a different plan...

My Opinion: Let's jump right into the review :) The biggest problem with this book was the H/H and their romance. To put it plainly: the characters were boring ^_^; Harrison was too pompous and stuffy. In this kind of storyline, you expect the hero to change, that his dynamics with the heroine will bring out the more boyish or relaxed side of him... Open his eyes to his life and what it could be and usually, this is all done through fun stuff. However, it wasn't the case in The Perfect Mistress. There were many mentions about how Harrison changed, how his behaviors were surprising... but I don't think it was change in his personality, it wasn't Harrison being less pompous and stuffy ^_^ If it was, he wouldn't have blundered every time he opened his mouth. Yes, he was acting out of the ordinary for him, most probably because he was attracted to Julia, but that doesn't mean it was a permanent change in his personality. As for Julia, I just didn't connect with her and thought she was boring. Yes, she was smart and striving to be more independent - no real choice given her situation, but it didn't make her interesting. Actually, it is exactly as one of the character said:

"Lady Winterset (Julia) is perhaps as intelligent as Lady Smithson although I don't think she completely trusts that intelligence. She has been taken care of, you see, proper marriage and all that. I think she is still realizing she can indeed take care of herself although I'm not sure she wants to."

This passage describes Julia to a T. I think what makes Julia uninteresting is her indecisiveness - not really knowing what she wants (except solving her financial trouble) and where she's going. Have she known or at least been a bit more confident, she would have been a better heroine.

As for the romance, my biggest problem is that the characters "fell in love" too quickly. See, I'm not convinced it was love. Yes, there was something between them from the beginning - they annoyed each other. Sure, they rubbed each other wrong and that could be due to attraction... but after a few meetings, to say that it was love? Not buying it, because they really didn't know each other well enough for it. Also, I didn't feel the chemistry. It's fun sometimes to see characters argue, best each other with words... but in this case, it was mostly Harrison saying the wrong thing... and may I say, stupid thing ^_^; So yeah, the romance didn't work for me... and that's a big problem when reading romance ^_^;

The rest of the book though was great. The writing was actually excellent ^_^; and I enjoyed the secondary characters a lot. I wouldn't mind if Ms Alexander was planning books for Portia and Veronica, I'm actually hoping for it, because Julia's two friends had something about them. A vivacity that Julia was lacking. The storyline was interesting and could have been better with different H/H. My favorite parts of the book though were definitively the interactions between Harrison and his father. It's rare in historical romances that the hero's father is still alive (because otherwise, how would he have a title?) and most of the time, the relationship is not good. In this case, even though Harrison and Lord Kingsbury are complete opposite, they respect and love each other. It was great to read about a sane father/son relationship :) It was also fun to hear Lord Kingsbury's input about Harrison's life :)

My Grade: C-. It was hard choosing my grade for The Perfect Mistress, because my first reaction was that this book was okay only, therefore a D. However, I think that if I had the chance to read it in one sitting instead of a few pages here and there, I do think I would have enjoyed this book more. Also, despite the fact that the characterization and romance, two major components, were weak, the writing was great and I love all the rest :P Plus, I'm still looking forward to Ms Alexander next book :) So I think C- is a good grade :)

Review: Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr

Ouf. I've been meaning to write some reviews and real life just gets into the way. Sigh. It's just been so hectic and I'm trying to settle in a routine... however, not easy when stuff keeps happening to disturb my life ^_^; The worst was probably waking up on Monday and rushing to work only to realize that my car wouldn't start after a freezing week-end! Turns out it was the battery... tried to boost my car, but didn't work. Luckily, I have a very nice neighbor who helped once he got home... 10pm ^_^; Car seems okay now, so I will keep knocking on wood :P

Hopefully, things will settle down in the next few days. That's what I've been trying to tell myself for the past two weeks, LOL. Factor in that next week is Chinese New Year and the house needs to be sparking clean... Well you know the constant state of my room is, right? Yeah, big endeavor this week-end ^_^;

For now though, the focus is writing this review and then blog-hop :) And while this is not what I was planning to review, it is the book that's been calling me out the loudliest :)


Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr
published by Mira (Harlequin) in January 2011

Sometimes love takes root in unexpected places - if you'll only let it grow

Colin Riordan came to Virgin River to recuperate from a horrific helicopter crash, the scars of which he bears inside and out. His family is wonderfully supportive, but it’s his art than truly soothes his troubled soul.

Stung personally and professionally by an ill-advised affair, PR guru Jillian Matlock arrived in town via golden parachute. She’s bought an old Victorian with a promising garden and is looking forward to cultivating something other than a corporate brand.

When Jillian finds Colin at his easel in her yard, there’s an instant connection. But both are holding romance at arm’s length— looking to simplify, not complicate, their lives. And Jill may yet be lured back to Silicon Valley...

No one arrives in Virgin River without a story, and no one leaves—if they ever do—unchanged.

Genre: Contemporary romance
Series: Virgin River series, Book #12

The Story: Jillian Matlock has dedicated the past decade of her life to her work, helping build a software company from the ground up as its PR. Unfortunately, everything comes to a stop when her boyfriend who is also her colleague files a harassment complaint against her. Shocked and betrayed, Jillian takes a leave of absence and for the first time in years, is at loose ends. She finally heads to Virgin River where she has spent her last vacation... When she stumbles across the old Victorian house, with its acres of field, Jillian feels a wave of nostalgia, remembering her great-grandmother's garden and decides to give it a go for the next couple of months. Invigorated, Jillian pours all her energy into growing these rare vegetables from her childhood... and then, she stumbles across Colin painting...

In Promise Canyon, Colin was the victim of a helicopter crash. As he started recuperating, he found himself addicted to the pain medication and was caught buying drugs from a doctor who was dealing. After he rid himself from the addiction, Colin got depressed... and so for the past 6 months, Colin has found himself in some sort of rehab or treatment of one sort. It is during that time that he has rekindled with art - a talent of his, but not his passion which is flying. Colin feels like his life has been taken away, but he is not ready to give it up yet. While he can no longer fly for the army, there is still the possibility to find civilian/mercenary work in other parts of the world. As such, Colin plans to head to Africa where he'll be able to look for a flying job as well as paint wildlife... but in the meantime, he'll be spending the next few months in Virgin River, recuperating and painting.

Colin and Jillian seem to be complete opposites and yet, there is a connection between them... At a time where both are figuring out what the future holds for them, the two find solace in each other's arms... but what happens when a love affair has an expiration date?

My Opinion: It's funny how two books by the same author can elicit different feelings upon picking them up.  That's what happening to me with Promise Canyon and Wild Man Creek by Ms Carr. I got Promise Canyon back in December and after reading the blurb and the first chapter, I just didn't feel like reading it ^_^; As a result, it's still sitting in my TBR pile. In contrast, after reading the first few pages of Wild Man Creek, I was hooked and simply devoured it :)

To me, what makes Wild Man Creek stands out is the heroine, Jillian Matlock... which is funny because when I first read the blurb of the book, I was worried Jillian would be a copy of Erin from Moonlight Road. Someone who's burn-out and trying to find a new purpose in life, a workaholic who doesn't know how to relax... and while both heroines do share similarities, they are completely different. I loved Jillian and it was a thrill reading this book because the woman radiates energy. She was like a bulldozer (in a good way :P) - getting her idea and doing everything to realize it: researching, buying seeds, hiring Denny, sending samples of her soil, etc.  Her joy and excitement were simply contagious and I had this huge smile on my face throughout the entire book. A real force to be reckoned with :)

Of course, an awesome heroine is not enough to carry a whole book, we need a good hero as well and Colin wasn't shabby. Colin has some heavy baggages, given that in the past 6 months he's been in a helicopter crash from which he barely got out alive, then was addicted to pain killers and succumbed to depression afterwards.  I think the fact that Colin recovers from all of this and in such a short period of time is a strong statement. Oh for sure, there is strength, but more importantly I think is the will, determination and stubbornness. Colin used to live a fast-paced life, he considered himself wild, but in control... and he didn't want to give that up and that's only natural, right? Yes, some injuries did slow him down a little, but the crash hadn't crippled him, so it made sense that he didn't want to let go. There was also a hint of arrogance in Colin's personality, but instead of being unpleasant, it just made him more male :P

I also enjoyed the romance between Jillian and Colin, mostly because it was about the two of them :) It was casual, relaxed and sweet. I liked that the relationship developed at its own pace. It started off based on attraction and then deepened into something more. When both Jillian and Colin trusted each other and felt comfortable enough, they shared their pasts and their baggages. Everything was handled with maturity and it fit with these two independent persons. I also liked how it was handled at the end, with Colin's departure, and how everything was resolved. I think it happened as it should :)

One of my pet peeves in the last couple of books is that the storyline hasn't focused enough on the H/H. There was too much catching up with the previous characters as well as a lot of side stories overshadowing the main romance. However, what bothered me most were those natural disasters and accidents happening and pulling the whole community together. Once is okay, but two or three times and it's too unbelievable as well as too obvious that it's being used as a plot device. However, I felt that Ms Carr did a better job in Wild Man Creek. Most of the book focused on Jillian and Colin and while there was a side story, I thought it blended well with the main storyline, that it was linked. Many characters made an appearance, but they didn't steal the spotlight. I also enjoyed the siblings interactions between the Riordan brothers and the Matlock sisters. They helped fleshing the characters in my opinion.

My only real complaint would be that the book lost a bit of its momentum at the end of the book and it made the ending seemed rushed. As if Ms Carr didn't know what else to write, so better wrap it up ^_^; At the same time though, it felt incomplete as well. An epilogue would have helped in my opinion; however, Ms Carr rarely write those.

My Grade: B++. Overall, I really enjoyed Wild Man Creek. I thought the H/H were fleshed out and memorable, the romance was good and the little town atmosphere well balanced. In fact, I would liken this book to Jake and Mel's book, Virgin River, and it reminds me why I fell in love with this series :)

Hauling Sunday XVIII

Last week, there was no Hauling Sunday, so seems like this week, I made up for it LOL. I thought that I'd take it easier this year, not run after new releases as much, limit my trip to the bookstores to perhaps once a week... but who am I kidding? LOL. I thought I'd switch to ebooks a little more as well... but  can I just say: I really, really like my bookstores :) That makes it really difficult.

You Belong to Me by Karen Rose - I pre-ordered this book from Amazon.co.uk back in December and have been checking my mailbox ever since it shipped :) I mean, a Karen Rose book coming out in the rest of the world, there was no way I was going to wait 6 months for it to release in North America. Yes, that is how much I love Ms Rose :)

How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries - Third book in The Hellions of Halstead series. I was really looking forward to it for the storyline since it has the friends to lovers theme as well as fake engagement.

Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell - Like I mentioned in my number post, I want to read a little bit more cozy mysteries this year. This seems to suit me well as I've read Ms Blackwell previously and the heroine is a witch. You know how I have a weakness for witches :)

Confessions of a Demon by S.L. Wright - I've been wanting to start a new UF series. Why? No idea LOL, just a feeling :) So this is the book I stumbled over :)

Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan - I needed another book in order to use my coupon and this is what I chose. Once again, because it was UF and it got a pretty good buzz on blogland :)

Blood Stains by Sharon Sala - I'm a huge fan of Ms Sala. Her latest trilogy hasn't work for me too well (only read the first book ^_^;;;), but I'm not giving up on her, that's for sure. I'm really looking for this new trilogy and so far, the feedback I've heard has been good :)

Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr - Yep, book #12! Her couple last books have been a bit of a miss, but I have a feeling about this one... and I love those Riordan brothers :)

The Perfect Mistress by Victoria Alexander - It's Victoria Alexander! My comfort historical romance author :) Hey, can someone confirm though... did she really move from Avon to Kensington?

Once Upon a Scandal by Delilah Marvelle - I've been meaning to read Ms Marvelle ever since I've met her at RT convention last year :) I skipped on the first book, Prelude to a Scandal, because it dealt with a sex addict; however, reviews have been favorable and I think I need to get back to it :)

Kiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe - I've enjoyed Ms Rowe's book in the past and have been wanting to read more of her :)

Scandal of the Year by Laura Lee Guhrke - Ms Guhrke has a little je-ne-sais-quoi in her writing and as a result, she's one of my favorite. I've really enjoyed Wedding of the Season and was looking forward to Scandal of the Year :P It seems to be a happy-go-lucky heroine thawing out a stuffy hero theme - one of my favorites :) I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it :)

***

What do you think? I made it up for last week, right? :) LOL, tell the truth, it's more books than I realized ^_^; So, any books in this post that you're planning to get or have read? :P

RWA 2011

Woohoo, I just sent in my registration form this morning!! It's just so exciting :)

However, I was soooo annoyed at myself. I checked, re-checked, triple-checked, quadruple-checked the credit card number I put on... and then, when I got the confirmation, I realized I put the wrong door number!! Seriously, how stupid is that? ^_^;

Best and Worst of 2010

Hi there!

Jeez, time really flies ^_^; I was so excited on the week-end to finally have 2010 wrapped up on my blog LOL. I thought finally, I can start writing full reviews!! Instead, my reading mojo revved up. So between a busy week and some good reads, I haven't time to review... but in case you weren't aware, I've been over at Breezing Through :) Ames, Monroe and I have been discussing our Best and Worst of 2010 :) So feel free to stop by and discuss our picks with us! :)

Best and Worst of 2010

Part I : Historical & Contemporary romance
Part II: Category romance & Romantic Suspense
Part III: Paranormal romance & Fantasy/Urban Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Part IV: Young Adult, Fiction & Erotica 
Part V: Miscellaneous 

Stay tuned for the rest :)