5 stars In the course of this particular portion of the billionaires’ series, beginning with Edward and Ava’s story and morphing into Baron and Ava’s story, every one of these characters grows immensely. At this risk of sharing spoilers, here’s what you can expect. Knowing what is going to happen does not detract from the joy of discovering the journey of each of these characters. Ava matures and gains an understanding that it’s possible to love more than one person, even at the same time. Edward realizes that he used religion as a crutch and when he met Ava, he merely transferred his obsession to her instead of examining the internal thoughts that drive him to seek solace in routine and relationship. Baron discovers the woman of his dreams is real and is willing to walk away from her because he loves her and wants her happiness more than he wants his own, one of the most selfless acts of any of the Seven. Finally, Edward and Baron are forced to confront what happened to them, acknowledge neither is to blame, and forgive each other and themselves for their contributions. (I take responsibility for the editing, good or bad.) June 19, 2021
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5 stars Edward has left Ava, asking Baron to look out for her in his absence. The question is, did he anticipate the attraction that would build between Baron and Ava? That’s what this book is about—the growing attraction between Baron and Ava in the absence of Edward, and their struggle to deny it. Lots of sexual tension. Oh, and things with the Mafia are heating up too. They really don’t like the Seven looking into their kidnapping. Every other book about the Seven references Baron, but we know very little about him. He’s a mysterious, peripheral character of unknown importance. Turns out, Baron is very similar to the rest of the Seven. Of course. Even Edward is much more like the rest of them than might have been originally suspected by readers. I found that a bit disappointing because I was hoping for a hero that isn’t quite so dominating and harsh (for lack of a better word). Why did all of them react to the kidnapping by becoming so domineering, verging on abusive? All of them are the archetype of the damaged hero with a sensitive heart buried beneath a gruff exterior. (Sinclair and Saint are probably the worst, if I’m being honest). Uncovering the compassionate and loving man behind the wall of hurt is the goal of each heroine. It’s exhausting, and when you reach a certain age, you don’t want to bother anymore. Luckily, all of the females in this series are young enough to have the idealism needed to tackle these men and their problems. Also, it’s fiction so the fact that the average real-life male who presents as a jerk really is one through and through and no amount of understanding and love is going to change them is not relevant. Might as well enjoy the fantasy. I think the book is well-written and explores Baron’s issues sensitively, while still maintaining the mystery of why he left and what is the problem between him and Edward. Ava is no cardboard character herself. She struggles to understand why Edward left and why she feels the same level of attraction to Baron, his ex-best friend. She still has the inflexibility of a teenager, believing that it’s wrong for her to care about both of them, just as she still doesn’t understand her father’s wish to remarry after the death of her mother. She’ll come to terms with this before everything is over. Meanwhile, this ends on another cliffhanger, with another wrench thrown into their lives, forcing them to confront one another and accept the latest events. (And I edited this one too.) June 11, 2021 5 stars I was fortunate to read and edit this book prior to publication. Edward, the priest, and Ava, the nineteen-year-old introduced in Arpad and Karina’s story, get all hot and heavy in this one. This book explores the nature of faith and Edward’s commitment to the Church. It raises the question of whether the Church was there for him when he needed it, but now that he has found someone who makes him question that commitment, maybe it’s time for him to reevaluate that promise. Perhaps God brought Ava to him, not as a test, but as a sign that it’s time for him to live life in the real world. Interestingly, Ava has no religious background, but because of Edward, finds herself praying for guidance. In a way, their meeting brings her closer to God while it draws him away. I found it fascinating how the author was able to present religion in a way that neither extolled nor denigrated it. Rather, characters are equally accepting of Edward’s decision to become a priest as they are of him considering leaving his vocation. Edward has not been tempted by another woman since becoming a priest, until this young woman with no religious upbringing enters his life. He nicknames her Eve because he considered her a temptation. This isn’t a simple love story, where the characters need to overcome their insecurities and trust in one another. Edward is faced with giving up everything he knows and everything he is, much like when he became a priest. Ava has the outsized guilt associated with causing him to question his faith. Don’t expect them to figure out the solution by the end of this book. It ends on a cliffhanger with the return of the ever-mysterious Baron. I loved it. June 10, 2021 Billionaire's Temptation: Enemies to Lovers Billionaire Romance (Big Bad Billionaires stand-alone)6/29/2021 5 stars This novella provides insight into the rupture in the relationship between Edward and Baron, though the mystery remains as to why they have this animosity toward one another. I loved the look into Baron’s head and his longing for something more, which he sees but cannot grasp yet. Edward’s troubled past is also explored. This book is an essential part of understanding Edward and Baron, their relationship to one another, and their outlooks on life. It makes both more relatable and their actions more understandable. I edited this (so I hope readers find it enjoyable, easy to read, and piques their interest for more). June 13, 2021 5 stars I was offered this book through Amazon Prime’s First Reads program. What a treat! Since this is the first book I’ve read from this author, I really didn’t know what to expect. Needless to say, I am impressed and determined that this will not be the last book I read from Karen Brooks. At times, I was reminded of Barbara Tuchman’s A Distant Mirror and even The Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears (which, I found out, was one of her inspirations). At first, I was afraid that it might veer into Pillars of the Earth territory, exploring the inhumanity and violence of the period in vivid detail, and I would be compelled to stop reading. Luckily, that did not happen. As an academic, Ms. Brooks could have easily veered toward didactic prose, but instead, she has written something beautifully immersive and poetically poignant. It is a window into a miserable period of time, with a focus on the humans who chose to make the best of it. Despite the daily horrors experienced by so many of these characters, she manages to paint a portrait of love and respect and optimism. The story focuses on Rosamund, a resilient young woman with a past no one could envy. How she maintains a positive outlook and sees the best in people when she has been consistently exposed to the worst is part of what makes her so remarkable. In fact, descriptions of Rosamund paint her as an ethereal creature who spreads joy and love wherever she goes. It’s easy for strangers to criticize her, judging her by her outward beauty and familial heritage, but difficult for those who get to know her. She is without guile and wishes good fortune for everyone, even those who have hurt her, praying for their souls and trying to help them even when they eschew such assistance. Perhaps the overriding themes of this story are education, love, faith, and religion. Rosamund is illiterate, but determined to learn to read. Once she does, it opens a new world for her and unlocks her courage to be herself. One more than one occasion, she observes the power that words hold and the way in which they can be used and abused. For her, words hold the power to improve her life and the lives of the people for whom she cares. For others, she notes how words hold the power to destroy them. Early in the book, there’s an exchange that made me chuckle. When Rosamund first meets Bianca, the housekeeper drops a slight curtsey and mutters “what might have been ‘my lady’ but sounded more like ‘malady.’” I learned so many new words and phrases while reading this book: Cupid’s warehouse: the heavenly cleft where men stored their seed; pattens; wherry, trull, and more. I was never so glad to have a dictionary installed on my Kindle. This book was published in 2019, which made it all the more notable that there were so many similarities between the plague of 1665 and the plague of 2020, specifically in the area of human behavior. It’s sad that, while social distancing was recommended, in the case of church attendance, people were encouraged to congregate even though it resulted in higher infection rates, and consequently, deaths. (There were fines for those who refused to attend.) Similarly, the wealthy fled the city to protect themselves while leaving the poor behind to get sick and die. I learned things I never knew about the plague, like the fact that all dogs and cats were culled to stop the spread of the infection, even though it’s likely they would have helped prevent it by hunting the rats who brought the fleas. The descriptions of the death and desolation in London were powerful and vivid, but this one stuck with me: “The stench of unwashed, decaying bodies attracted swarms of flies and crows. Some swelled and burst in the heat, their entrails spread about them like a putrid skirt.” The Great Fire of London is described in such a way that I could feel the terror that must have been felt by the citizens, unable to stop the spread of the fire and unsure of whether they might lose all they had. There was no insurance at the time, so once it was lost, that was it. Somehow, Rosamund persists in her optimism, even when it seems she has lost everything. She remembers the words of Matthew Lovelace, the man she loves, “The important thing is not to get swallowed by the darkness. To remember, even when the shadows grow long and you fear they will consume you, there’s still light in the world. You just need to find it.” On more than one occasion, Rosamund questions whether God would actually allow such suffering, and though she continues to pray, she wonders whether it makes any difference. While some might use this uncertainty as an excuse to sin, she redoubles her efforts to do what is right. And though she loses one thing after another, and tragedy seems to follow her around like a shadow, she always seems to bounce back. Good fortune ultimately finds her because she exudes positive energy and attracts it to her. She shares her love with everyone, and despite some truly horrid people, her goodness prevails. Please don’t think Rosamund is a weak or naive character. She is strong and resilient and loves des pite her circumstances, making a wonderful example any girl should be proud to follow. I felt like I was reading a true story and when I read the acknowledgments, I learned that most of it was based on real people, with certain poetic licenses taken. Did I already mention how much I loved this book? The writing is exquisite, pulling me into the story and making me feel as if I were experiencing it first-hand, carefully avoiding the details of the worst experiences and painting those with a wide brush to avoid gratuitous violence. I highly recommend it! June 27, 2021 4 stars I was offered a free e-copy of this novella as an introduction to this author and I really enjoyed it. It’s clever and unusual with interesting characters. The romantic leads are Cecily and Luke, but there were a few others and I particularly enjoyed the banter between Brooke and Portia (mutual friends), who are, clearly, flirting with one another. After Portia is injured, but in no mortal danger, Brooke addresses her. “You can’t die,” he told her, crouching at her side. “Who would argue with me then?” “Anyone with sense,” she said tartly. But this story isn’t really about Brooke or Portia; it’s about Luke and Cecily, parted for four years while Luke went off to fight Napoleon and now somewhat estranged because he feels like he is damaged and she deserves better. He pushes her away at every opportunity, but because he is so conflicted, he also pulls her toward him. Eventually, she is compelled to take things into her own hands, and they find their HEA. It’s a fun read. June 22, 2021 5 stars Another winning novel from Kate Bateman. I received this ARC from Netgalley—lucky me! This book has one of the best opening lines from a book. "It started with a pig." The narrator then goes on to explain the origins of the feud between the Montgomerys and the Davies. Reminiscent of the Capulets and the Montagues, Maddie Montgomery and Gryff Davies fall in love, although each tries to deny it as long as possible. Meanwhile, there is some marvelous banter between them. Of course, each believes the other hates them so when they find themselves alone together and Maddie admits she believed he hated her all the times he teased her, he tells her, like most boys, he teased her because he liked her. As things purges between them, I loved this: "So that's how much you hate me," she breathed. Her voice was a mixture of wonder and wicked laughter, and he let out a surprised snort. The cheeky minx. "Hate me some more." I also loved this description of Carys, Gryff's sister at the end of the book. "It was an astonishing sight. Blue ribbons had been threaded through her natural red hair to resemble waves, and a miniature ship, complete with paper sails, perched atop them at a jaunty angle as though being pitched and tossed in a storm. Pearl-ended pins were scattered throughout, like tiny specs of seafoam." This book earns stars from me. I cannot wait to read more in the series. June 21, 2021 3 stars I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Normally, I love books from Janna MacGregor, but this one was disappointing. To begin with, the premise was silly. Katherine discovers that her “husband” married two other women, then died, leaving them all trying to figure out who was the real wife (Kat) and what had happened to their dowries. Constance is pregnant and ready to give birth, while Beth has no desire to return to her brother who “sold her off” to Meriwether, the “husband” to all three women. Meanwhile, Christian, the Duke of Randford, returns from the war to try to clean up his half-brother’s mess. Constance and Beth are basically destitute, at least until they figure out what to do now that they’ve been widowed. Christian is reluctant to help. So, Katherine, who has her own linens business, invites the two women to come live with her, with no expectation that they will repay her. They become the best of friends. It just seemed unbelievable to me that these three women would become the best of friends under the circumstances. Even if Kat was generous enough to invite them to live with her, the likelihood of them being just as generous is not very high. Of course, Christian and Kat fall in love, while Christian tries to find someone to marry Constance before she gives birth and it seems as if Christian’s good friend is interested in Beth. There were too many loose ends. The epilogue only addressed Christian and Katherine, with a mention of Beth (now managing certain aspects of Kat’s business). We don’t know whether Constance was married or not. We don’t know what happened with Beth and Christian’s friend Grayson. Additionally, the passion between Christian and Kat was lackluster and the emotions were just meh. I just didn’t feel much for these characters. I didn’t connect with them and I didn’t much care what happened. June 19, 2021 5 stars I received an ARC of this book and it’s the only reason I’m reading it before the series is complete. The book earns five stars, which is really saying something because I absolutely hate cliffhangers, Piper Lawson’s speciality. For most authors, too many cliffhangers will prevent me from reading any more of their books. Piper is probably the sole exception because her books are so outstanding it makes the cliffhanger bearable. That said, I’m rather annoyed by this one. Rae and Harrison are relatable and realistic and the chemistry between them is explosive. Naturally, that means there is much room for misunderstandings and over-the-top responses. Unfortunately, Rae is not equipped to handle conflict and rather than wait for things to blow over she will usually run. I found that frustrating. It was hard for me to find anything to criticize about Harrison who was solicitous and caring toward Rae and understanding of her issues. SPOILER, MAYBE: The cliffhanger here was abrupt and unnecessary. It made me mad because I felt like it didn’t require that kind of conclusion and added gratuitous drama to the story. Yes, there was a conflict and it required some work, but I don’t understand why Rae and Harrison couldn’t just work on it together. I’m anxious to read the next book, Rae and Harrison’s eventual happy ending. June 16, 2021 5 stars I chose this book from the Prime free monthly reading selection because I love this author. This book did not disappoint. It’s part of the “A Box of Draupnir” series, which I haven’t read, but now I am interested in reading. It’s difficult to envision the box of draupnir, though it is described in great detail, because it sounds like something I’ve never seen in my life. I imagine the box is based on the Draupnir (Old Norse "the dripper"), from Norse mythology, a gold ring possessed by the god Odin with the ability to multiply itself, but the box in the story contains a ruby. Regardless of how it looks, it’s the curse that really matters. When the curse is first introduced, it seems far-fetched and fanciful, as if it’s a figment of the imagination of Julianna. As the story continues, it becomes apparent that the curse is very real and very frightening. Des and Jules are not exempt from the effects of the curse either and it’s a nail-biter. I’m sure it will come as no surprise that Des and Jules meet early in the story, even if we don’t know her name at that time. As is observed toward the end of the story: “Of course everything went back to that one moment in time.” Indeed, everything that happens to them is a direct result of their first meeting, and events that transpired just prior to that. It is a very well-written and engaging story with relatable characters whose love for one another is clearly and empathetically related to the reader. This book is written for adults. I don’t like to quote anything that might be read by innocent eyes, but truly, it is the most intimate scenes that feature the most touching (no pun intended) emotions and clearest descriptions of what they feel for one another. They are the parts that most deserve to be quoted, but I won’t do it. I highly recommend this book and will be looking into others in the series. 6-13-2021 |
Elizabeth J ConnorWriter. Editor. Proofreader. Archives
September 2022
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