M. Miller

This book was extremely exciting, despite the fact that Charlotte does not figure largely in the story, as in Perry's other books about the Pitts. Emily is much more prominent in the tale, as she is close friends with one of the main characters. The complicated plot and the way it ties together is incredibly interesting. I really can't go into a lot of detail because I'll end up giving information away - but take my word for it, the connections between the police, the government, a secret society, the elections, the Pitts' vacation, and a well-known medium are astonishing. I also enjoy all the small subplots that Perry included in the tale, and the ending just left me wanting more. I hope that the situation will continue to be explored in the next Anne Perry book! Can't wait to listen to it!

I'm not into sci-fi at all, really, but this sounded interesting and cheap (it was one of those $4.95 specials). It was actually pretty cool - I found myself totally able to picture the scenes described in the book, and didn't even mind the weirdness of the characters (robots, mutants, etc.) As the style of the cover suggests, the book combines that old "film noir" detective mystery with futuristic sci-fi. I always thought I'd find science fiction just ridiculous and unbelievable, but this was surprisingly plausible. The only thing that I found difficult to accept was the relationship between the hero and heroine (can I really call them that? not sure). The "relationship" made me feel a little sad for both of them because there was certainly something missing (which, to be fair, neither one could help). I'd recommend this for someone who doesn't like sci-fi. I don't know if regular sci-fi lovers would like this or not, since I am not one of them.

While I don't enjoy all of Kleypas' books, I find her Wallflower Series pretty good. Books 2 and 3 are my favorites. If you have read Book 1, you had to know that the H/h in Book 2 were going to get together - they've been chomping at the bit to fight with each other since they met. Both strong personalities end up being tempered (only slightly - no one becomes a wuss) by their love for each other. The h does come across as rather immature because of some of her behavior, but if you have ever known someone who brings out the worst in you (in that you desire to do the opposite of what they tell you), then you'll understand her motivation. I find the H extremely likeable as he is both very strong-willed, but very intelligent and honorable as well. There's thought and planning behind his demands.

I'm not really a fan of this narrator, though. She kind of made me dislike the heroine at first, and made the hero sound overly stuffy.

While I don't enjoy all of Kleypas' books, I find her Wallflower Series pretty good. Books 2 and 3 are my favorites. In this tale, Kleypas pairs a shy, stuttering girl with the ton's most notorious rake and womanizer. They enter into a marriage of convenience for their own desperate reasons. It is interesting to read how the two change and grow together during the book - not just that they fall in love with each other - they grow personally and their relationships with those around them change as well. Compared to some of Kleypas' other books, this is less steamy (although still definitely warm).

If you want a period piece that is essentially a teensy bit of romance, a teensy bit of mystery, and a teensy bit silly, check out this series by Marion Chesney. There are four books in the series - I'm just about to start Book 3, and so far I find them fun to listen to while I'm working. This series is light enough that you can multi-task while listening, unlike some authors (Anne Perry or Tess Gerritsen) that require you to really concentrate on the details. (I do love both Perry and Gerritsen, though)

I will say that Harry's solutions to problems seem to border on the unrealistic and rather slapstick at times, but otherwise it is a nice listen. And I ALWAYS enjoy Davina Porter's reading. That's actually what led me to the series in the first place - she narrated many of Anne Perry's books and I loved her in those as well.

If you want a period piece that is essentially a teensy bit of romance, a teensy bit of mystery, and a teensy bit silly, check out this series by Marion Chesney. There are four books in the series - I'm just about to start Book 3, and so far I find them fun to listen to while I'm working. This series is light enough that you can multi-task while listening, unlike some authors (Anne Perry or Tess Gerritsen) that require you to really concentrate on the details. (I do love both Perry and Gerritsen, though)

I will say that Harry's solutions to problems seem to border on the unrealistic and rather slapstick at times, but otherwise it is a nice listen. And I ALWAYS enjoy Davina Porter's reading. That's actually what led me to the series in the first place - she narrated many of Anne Perry's books and I loved her in those as well.

Carl Hiaasen's writing makes me think of Dave Barry, whose books I LOVE to read. This was a pretty funny book - although Barry's books are a bit funnier to me. Considering the location of the book and the location of the author, as well as the very similar writing style, I believe that Hiaasen and Barry MUST know each other, actually. Anyway - I digress - the plot was incredibly complicated, but it wasn't too hard to follow, and the multitude of characters were all well-developed. As a main character, I couldn't really decide if I liked Joe Winder or not; he was a person that I don't think I'd want to be friends with. Additionally, I can handle the crass language in this book, but would certainly prefer much cleaner dialogue. I did feel that the story dragged a little bit in places, and I HATED how Hiaasen refers to the main character as Joe Winder...every single time he says his name. As if the book was filled with 27 characters named Joe. He was the only one! I started thinking of his name as Joewinder. Overall, interesting and somewhat amusing. I may or may not read other books by this author.

I've read a bunch of books by Tess Gerritsen, and I really enjoy her medical thrillers. However, this seems to be more of a "Harlequin Intrigue" book. The focus is on the relationship between the couple, rather than the mystery/crime, which is not very engaging. And by "which" (in the previous sentence) I mean BOTH are dull - the relationship between the H/h and the mystery itself. I didn't like or dislike the hero and heroine...they didn't have much of an impression on me at all. I felt that the story dragged near the end, and could have been wrapped up more quickly. In fact, I felt that it probably could have been condensed to half the length that it was. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't terrible, but after reading Gerritsen's later works, I kept thinking about how much better her other books are (as I was listening to this one). I also was not a fan of the person reading the book; I've heard a lot of audiobooks and I think they could have chosen someone better. I was not impressed by her "accents."