Sunday, May 25, 2008

Miss Wonderful by Loretta Chase

I read like lightening, so any book that takes me longer than one day to read has something going on with it...could be good, could be bad. On a quick side note, too, I read The Duke and I (Julia Quinn) concurrent with this, so I'm having to think hard to keep the two of them straight.

Anyway. This was a good read, but it took me a while because, while the writing was wonderful and the story entertaining, it just didn't suck me in like usual. Which is a con, I suppose. There was never any doubt that I wouldn't finish it, it just moved at a leisurely pace; a pace I am not used to reading at.

So it took me two days to read this one. I have high hopes for the next two in the series (I love love love series books, but only if the whole series is out, as I hate hate hate waiting for books), as they have commanded some high marks. So here's a quick rundown:

I loved the older heroine, Mirabel. She's great, and at no point does she not behave like what she is: a 31-year-old, well-established, thoroughly intelligent woman, who is held in high regard by her family and community. I love how old she is, and how the author used her age to develop her as a character.

The hero, Alistair, was also well-rounded, and made a great match for Mirabel. He came off as younger than her (hell, he could BE younger than her, for all I know...I never did catch his age) which is fabulous, because he had so little experience with responsibility and she's just had so much, it would look odd if it weren't that way. And so much of these characterizations were shown and not told, that I really did love Mz. Chase's writing.

The plot was well thought out, and provided the right amount of movement for the story. There were some "revelations" near the end that I thought could have been incorporated better into the beginning of the story, though, and would have provided some interesting development of both protagonists' parents. It seemed a little tacked-on, to me, although it sat well with the story as a whole, it's just that the reader was not a party to the happenings, so when it was introduced, it sort of blindsided me.

But the writing was wonderful, and the relationships and the hang-ups, and the characters' individual issues and quirks were so well realized, I DID love reading the book. In the end, though, I had to give it a 3.5, because it seemed my attention just lulled, or something, and that is rare. But I'm looking forward to the next two, secure in my knowledge that they will make up for this lapse. You can check out Loretta Chase here.

First Posting

Well, this is exciting. Everyone's doing it, and so now I am too!!

A quick rundown of what I hope to do with this:

1. I read massive amounts (mostly romance novels, some fantasy/sci-fi, some mystery), so I will be posting my opinion of the books I've read. I'm not a writer, not affiliated with any writer's organizations, nor so I have any experience in writing, publishing, or rejection (which I hear goes with the territory there...), nor will I be keeping tabs on the world of writing, publishing, etc, except in those instances where I am all aflutter to read a newly released book.
2. Who can resist social commentary!? Not me!! Although I must be upfront and admit that I am absolutely not interested in politics (except political humor), and most current events rate about a 2/5 on my interest-o-meter.
3. Family and work-place humor, because seriously, I have run in to some funny shit. The stories I could tell! WOW! I'm recently separated from the Air Force, and THAT, my friends, is fodder right there for a good season's-worth of comedy on any TV show. The government! Wow.

4. I love me some movies, so expect comments on new and up-coming movies. Not chick flicks, though...you'd think that would be my thing, reading romance novels and all, but no. I love the action movies. Guy flicks. That's where it's at. Exploshuns!! Blood! Gore! Squee!

Which leads me to my next numbered list:

1. I cuss. Yeah. A lot sometimes, even. But I'm grown, so I'm allowed. If you don't like it, please either ignore it or head on out. I'm really not doing it to piss you off.
2. I'm a mean person. Things I shouldn't find funny?? They are. I'm just wrong like that. But that's why this blog is so great! My cheerful, bubbly, happy personality won't screw with your perceptions! You won't have issues believing me when I say that, because you've never been taken in by my super-fabulously animated and easy-going nature!
3. Feedback is like gossip to me. If I feel like it applies, I'm down with listening. If I don't...see #2 above. Don't get me wrong, though. I LOVE gossip. It rocks.

I'm excited about this, though! This is going to be great! And if not? At least I've left my own piece of pink inter-garbage out there...