Romance Books - Page 12

Excalibur (The Arthur Books #3)

Bernard Cornwell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 75 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Arthur Books 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Cornwell is brilliant as always. Excalibur, the last book of the Arthur series, is wonderfully written, bringing the reader into the final chapters of Arthur's life. A great read, sure to keep you turning page after page.

Excellent Arthurian retelling 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Just finished it Cornwell's Warlord Trilogy. I thought it was absolutely phenomenal. I have an issue with how quickly he ended it though, it seems very out of keeping. Everything else in Derfel's life is described extensively, and by having the story be from Derfel's POV and ending it with the last battle at Camlann, he leaves out so much story which could easily have fitted into an epilogue. Were I his editor I would at least have advised to spend some time on tying that up properly. Too many questions unanswered. What happens to Guinevere, Galahad, Gwydre and the others on the boat for instance? Does Derfel ever meet them again? Where does he go to live with Ceinwyn and how many more years are they given? I understand that he wants to keep Arthur's final fate unknown, even though we can deduce from his never coming back that he did die, but the final chapter just doesn't seem right in how fast Cornwell goes about tying things up. Also the Silver Mist and him never returning, while typical of the traditional Arthurian ending of Arthur going to Avalon to sleep forever, seems like a rather out of place "magical" ending to this starkly realistic series where everything has a logical explanation.

Other than that niggle about the unsatisfying ending, nothing but praise. Well almost. I thought the characterization was great, particulary for the secondary characters. He does a great job of building a big cast of characters in a way few authors can. Especially the group of Arthur's companions such as Sagramor, Culhwch, Galahad, Tristan. Derfel is the star of the show in this series rather than Arthur, whose portrayal I am ambivalent about. The same applies to Merlin, who has been portrayed better elsewhere ( Stewart). Merlin to me was too powerless as well as too vulgar. I understand he went for the Dark Merlin/Mad Merlin take but I don't think it fully worked, he is too diminished for my taste. Nimue was interesting, as was Guinevere. So many good enemies as well, Lancelot, the Saxons, Amhar and Loholt, Mordred, Nimue, the vicious twins Dinas and Lavaine that killed his daughter, so many weak men set off against strong ones, the story of Tristan and Iseult, the character of Gawain gets a completely different treatment,a great sense of melancholy for a lost reign. Wonderful how Cornwell gives us the story through the eyes of a man writing at the end of his life, excellent device. Actually a great romance between Derfel and Ceinwyn as well, touching.

His portrayal of magic in the story seems to shift at the end of the third book from how it has been portrayed up until that late point in the story however, and I found that quaint. After two and a half book of pretty much no magic and alternate explanations for everything that could be construed as magical, he does seem to want to make it plain at the end that there is some real magic being done ( Nimue's curse, the use of shadowbodies to torture Ceinwyn).

Lancelot: He's a total tool, bereft of good qualities, unlike Galahad who is his opposite and who Derfel calls his best friend.

The Saxons: not villains in the sense that they are just like the Britons, trying to gain land so continious flow of Saxons coming to the British shores can be accomodated. And enemy yes, but it depends on the POV. Nimue, the druid twins, Lancelot etc are more clearly defined as villains.

Strange how Nimue turned out. From Merlin's best friend in youth to ally in maturity to cruel enemy at the end. Mordred was a truly terrible human being, rotten even as a boy.

Merlin's portrayal leaves too much to be desired here. As does Arthur's, who is lead around the nose too much by Guinevere in the first two books, something which is corrected in book 3. He is very human, but for me just a bit much and too flawed. Some of his decisions were just poor and as Derfel said, poor for all to see but Arthur.

Loved the companions. The bachelor Galahad, Christian knight of great prowess, coarse Culhwch, built like a bull, Derfel himsel with his marvellous life story, Sagramor the black demon. Tristan was a great character as was the brutal Lord Owain in book 1, I was sad to see him killed. Same for Aelle, Derfel's father.

In the end, a superb portrayal of Arthurian legends. The only Arthurian series that rivals it is the vastly different Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart. I've still yet to read Sword at Sunset though, which has no Merlin as I understand it. He puts a different hat on almost every character, and on many known events. He has great storytelling flair and displays great characterization abilities. He shows us battles, passion, romance and makes the Arthur story new to those had become tired of it.

9/10

Editorial Review:

A story of love, war, loyalty and betrayal, "Excalibur" begins with the failure of Lancelot's rebellion and the ruin of Arthur's marriage to Guinevere. The Saxons, sensing the disunity of the Britons, seize the chance to destroy Arthur. The climax of the war comes with the legendary triumph at Mount Badon, and Arthur's great victory. But the promises he made then come back to haunt him after the years of peace and glory.

Breath of Scandal

Sandra Brown

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 50 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Breath of Scadal 4 out of 5 stars.
17 of 17 people found this review helpful.

Jade Sperry is a happy high school senior with her whole life ahead of her. She thinks she is blessed and has more than anyone could hope for. She is pretty, popular, smart, and has a boyfriend that truly loves her. In one moment Jade's life takes a drastic turn when she is brutally raped and left for dead by three of her peers. This event shapes all her decisions and how she lives her life. Jade decides that she will extract her revenge on those that harmed her.

This is a really well written story. The one thing that was hard to deal with was that just when you thought Jade's life couldn't get any worse, it does. It is very intense and emotionally draining.

Best Brown yet. 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I've read about 5 or 6 Sandra Brown novels, and this one was my favorite yet. A lot of Brown's novels follow the same template especially for the mystery/suspense ones. Where the killer/bad guy turns out to be a very minor charactor who you know nothing about until you find out who he is and then it goes into this big explaination about why he was the bad guy. Then of course the happy ending with the unprotected sex that they hope results in a pregnacy..haha. It gets kind of old. But this one isn't like that AT ALL. I'm not going to summarize it or anything, but if you are like me and enjoy reading Sandra Brown but find her books a little repetive, you should really read this one.

Editorial Review:

After Jade Sperry suffers through a woman's worst nightmare one rainy Southern night, she flees the town and vows to extract revenge on the spoiled rich boy and his two friends who made her the center of scandal. (Romance).

Tears of the Moon

Nora Roberts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 182 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Tears of the Moon 3 out of 5 stars.
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.

Irish Trilogy - Book 2

The second story brings Shawn to find his destiny. After Jude and Aidan marry, he takes up residence in the haunted cottage where continues with his compositions and music. He is perfectly content until fate puts Brenna in his way.

Brenna O'Toole has always loved Shawn, but has never done anything about it. When she decides to stop sitting on the sidelines and take control, she pushes Shawn beyond his limit.

It takes magic and a ghost to get them to resolve their differences, and love each other.

Sweet Follow-Up 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This was a fine sequel to "Jewels of the Sun." The characters were sweet. On the whole, the book is quite simple, but it's an easy read and definitely worth a look if you are a Nora Roberts fan.

Editorial Review:

Second in the breathtaking Irish trilogy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author.

Nora Roberts returns to Ireland in this tale of a talented musician and the beautiful tomboy who's been secretly in love with him for years.

Red Lily

Nora Roberts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 91 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Book Three of the In the Garden Trilogy

A Harper has always lived at Harper House, the centuries-old mansion just outside of Memphis. And for as long as anyone alive remembers, the ghostly Harper Bride has walked the halls, singing lullabies at night . . . Hayley Phillips came to Memphis hoping for a new start, for herself and her unborn child. She wasn't looking for a handout from her distant cousin Roz, just a job at her thriving In the Garden nursery. What she found was a home surrounded by beauty and the best friends she's ever had - including Roz's son Harper. To Hayley's delight, her new daughter Lily has really taken to him. To Hayley's chagrin, she has begun to dream about Harper - as much more than a friend . . . If Hayley gives in to her desire, she's afraid the foundation she's built with Harper will come tumbling down. Especially since she's begun to suspect that her feelings are no longer completely her own. Flashes of the past and erratic behavior make Hayley believe that the Harper Bride has found a way inside of her mind and body. It's time to put the Bride to rest once and for all, so Hayley can know her own heart again - and whether she's willing to risk it . . .

• Nora Roberts lives in Keedysville, Maryland
• Publishing simultaneously with Large Print hardcover
• A New York Times Bestselling Author
• Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than one hundred novels, including eighteen books in the #1 New York Times bestselling In Death series, written under the pen name J. D. Robb
• Roberts' work has been optioned and made into films, excerpted in national magazines and translated in over twenty-five countries
• Book One of the In The Garden trilogy, Blue Dahlia, is available in Large Print
• Book Two of the In The Garden trilogy, Black Rose, is available in Large Print

Sweet Revenge

Fern Michaels

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Another Good Book in the Series... 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is the fifth installment and it is time for Isabelle's revenge. One thing I like about these books is that it isn't always just about revenge for the sister, restitution is made to other victims as well. In this case, a little girl and her parents were killed, leaving behind a little boy with an elderly grandmother to care for him. Though nothing will bring his family back, he and his grandmother's future will be secured thanks to the Sisterhood.

I love how the sisters continue to grow and bond with each other. As they take control of their pasts, they are able to take control of their present lives and their future. For a fast, entertaining read, I recommend the entire series.

Editorial Review:

The fifth in the Revenge of the Sisterhood series Isabelle Flanders had everything: her own architectural firm, her fianc? Bobby, a life she deserved. Until Rosemary Hershey came and stole it all. Took her reputation, her clients, her man, and even framed her for drunk driving ? killing three innocent people in the process. The loyal Sisterhood agree: Rosemary has to be punished, along with the conniving Bobby. Isabelle has learned to endure, running, hiking, pushing her body to its limits and working all-out to get her license back. Now it's time to do more than to endure. It's time to hand out some justice.

The Highlander's Touch

Karen Marie Moning

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 95 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Sexy Immortal Highlander! Who could resist?! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I haven't read the Highlander series in a long time so I decided to reread them all. Highlander's Touch was just as good as I remembered! Moning leaves you truly satisfied.

Circenn Brodie is an immortal Scottish warrior who lives in a world of rules and magic. He is the guardian of all the fae's sacred relics. Though he loses one in particular, a flask which he has cursed so that whoever the unfortunate person is will bring the flask to him. What Circenn doesn't know is that the curse can bring someone all the way through time. He had made an oath to Adam Black, the Faery fool to kill whoever came with the flask.

Poor Lisa Stone is that very unfortunate person. She is thrown back 700 years in time, leaving her dying mother and incurring debt back home. Extremely distraught Lisa tries to find her way back to her own time, but loses her heart to Circenn in the process. Lisa forces Circenn to break all his rules, rules he had in place to keep him from going mad. Some of the rules are "will never kill an innocent","never lie", and "will never break an oath", etc. Will their love survive time? Will Lisa get to hold her dying mother's hand one last time? What is Adam Black up too?

find out and enjoy Highlander's Touch!Its an amazing book =)

Editorial Review:

A New York Times Bestselling Author

He was a mighty Scottish warrior who lived in a world bound by ancient laws and timeless magic. But no immortal powers could prepare the laird of Castle Brodie for the lovely accursed lass who stood before him. . . . When Lisa felt the earth move under her feet, the fiercely independent 21st-century woman never dreamed she was falling into another century. But the powerful, naked warrior who stood glaring down at her was only too real . . .

The Jury

Fern Michaels

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Fun, Escapist Read 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Totally entertaining installment of the Sisterhood series. Is it real? No. Is it believable? No. Could it happen? No. Is it a fun idea to ponder and revel in? You bet! The Sisterhood is a group of women who have been failed by the judicial system as we know it, so they create their own. Myra, Charles, and the gang never fail to entertain. In addition to the entertainment value, this one includes more than one emotional moment with more loss for the Sisterhood. I look forward to the next installment, in fact I've already started it. If there seem to be loose ends at the end of The Jury, they are important to the next book of the series.

Editorial Review:

The Sisterhood dive in. This time they could be out of their depth. The Sisterhood have decided that the next revenge mission will be Nikki?s. Jack Emery, her former fianc?, has made it clear that he will do everything he can to stop the women. But Nikki is surprised by this decision because she felt that she was only an advisor to the group. And she still loves Jack. Now she says that she wants to pass on her turn.

Dark Secret (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 12)

Christine Feehan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 101 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

By far the darkest Carpathian of them all. 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The heroine in this installment was well thought out, believable and strong. The plot was intriguing. The idea behind it (what would you do if someone threatened to take your family from you?) was different enough from other books in this series, and I appreciate that Feehan is able to give us something new each time. I especially liked the scenes that take place around Colby's family on the ranch.

The main male character...maybe he waited a little too long and was a little too close to turning. Or maybe he was just that way from birth (as told though his flashbacks to childhood). Whatever the case he was a little TOO dark for my taste. I felt like he never really fell for Colby, but rather just decided that since he saw colors when he looked at her, they had to stay together, and that was all there was to it.

Bottom line: if you like men who give you no say in anything and continually talk about their need to dominate during sex, then go ahead and read it. Otherwise, you can skip this book without having any problem following the next book in the series.

UPDATE: After a second read, I have to say that the Carpathian's motives were far clearer and a little less dastardly than I previous thought. I therefore up my rating to four stars.

Editorial Review:

A New York Times Bestseller

Rafael has spent centuries hunting vampires, and his capacity to feel emotions has weakened. But nothing will to keep him away from the woman who is meant to be his . . .

Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Julia Quinn

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 186 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

My favorite Bridgerton! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Besides Colin being my favorite Bridgerton sibling (Anthony is a very close second), this book is one of my favorite romance novels. It's light, funny and you can't wait for Colin to come to his senses and finally fall in love with Penelope.

A lot of people are bothered by Penelope's lack of self-esteem. I personally enjoyed watching her grow a pair throughout the story. I think her self-esteem, or lack thereof, adds to her charm. Who wants a perfect heroine anyway?

Colin is absolutely enchanting....and watching him and Penelope interact throughout the book is delightful. Sometimes you want to smack him upside the head for being so obtuse, but even then you can't help but love him.

I can't even put into words how much I enjoyed this book. It's not the steamiest one in the Bridgerton series (see: When He Was Wicked), but the story is very well written and the love scenes will not let you down. This book is the epitome of a Julia Quinn novel: fun, witty and charming.

Editorial Review:

Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend's brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn't know him at all.

Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of everyone's preoccupation with the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can't seem to publish an edition without mentioning him in the first paragraph. But when Colin returns to London from a trop aboard he discovers notyhing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl haunting his dreams. But when he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat—or his promise of a happy ending?

Where the Heart Leads: From the Casebook of Barnaby Adair (Cynster, Book 15)

Stephanie Laurens

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Review of the eReader version 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I've read all of Stephanie Lauren's novels, and I'm getting... a bit disappointed. Perhaps I've just come to expect more from her. This wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't her best or even close. I have liked Barnaby's character throughout the other novels he's appeared in, and was really looking forward to his story.

Things I liked: As others have mentioned, the mystery was a bit better than most of the others. The writing, as always is well done (although the "patience of Jove" still annoys me lol). I liked that although Barnaby felt protective, he wasn't constantly demanding that she obey him, or trying to force her to do things as he wished. He appeared to respect her opinion and listen to her comments (at least as the book got farther in).

Things I disliked: How many times do we have to hear about her "wits" and "senses"? Her "arguments" weren't really all that convincing. The near constant references to "men" being of inferior intellect. That, as another reviewer mentioned, her whole reason for pursuing a "relationship" with him was out of curiosity. That is a common theme in many of Ms. Laurens' novels, but in this case there seemed to be little else at that point.

As I said, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. I happily bought the book (electronic version), and am looking forward to more of her works (especially the Bastian Club series), but I'm pretty glad I didn't spend $25 on it.

I appreciate very much that Ms. Laurens is one of the best, most eloquent writers in the genre, and also that she has some of the steamiest sex scenes of any author. I just wasn't thrilled with this story, and would like to see more emphasis placed on "romance". I would happily read a longer novel if the quality of the mystery was equaled by the quality of the love story.

Editorial Review:

Wealthy Cynster connection Penelope Ashford has devoted herself not to making a perfect society match, but to rescuing young orphans from London's streets. But when her charges start disappearing, she turns to attractive Barnaby Adair for help. A deadly avenger in an elegant guise, Barnaby has solved crimes before, and can go where few others in society can.

Barnaby finds Penelope's combination of beauty and brains irresistible. Together, they work to unravel the mystery of the missing children, uncovering a trail that leads them to the upper echelons of society. Soon, they face an enemy all too ready to destroy all they hold dear, including their newfound understanding of love . . . and the intrigues of the human heart.