April

I was so disappointed with Call Me Irresistible that I was prepared for disaster with this one. In spite of that, I stayed up until 3am waiting for the Audible download to go live. Diehard SEP fans do that.

THE GOOD: The story was satisfying in the way some of the older books were - good characterization, a couple of side stories, an interesting location, and some interesting bits about various "locale" things that made it easier to visualize the setting.

THE IRRITATING: Like so many successful fiction writers, SEP seems to feel it her duty to jump on social and political issues as part of the storyline. This is not a terrible thing. I suspect that authors employing these devices do make their readers stop and think a bit, but in this book, as in many others I've read in recent years, the preaching is just a little bit too much to the forefront and takes away from the story, rather than adding to it.

THE MEDIOCRE: I came away knowing more about the secondary characters and their motivations than I did the Hero. His story is held back for much of the book. The sexual tension between Lucy and Panda is not quite as hot as I might have wanted, and I''m not talking about explicit sex scenes here, but the ongoing sizzle. SEP is capable of this, as seen in Match Me If You Can and as far back as This Heart of Mine.

I'm hoping her next book will have less social consciousness and more romance.

Would I buy it again? Yes

Will I listen to it again? Yes

If you've listened to more than one Cynster novel, you probably know the formula, and yet, like me, continue to buy because the characters are cozy and familiar.

This one is better than some - less repetitive description, more interaction between hero and heroine, and reappearance of characters from older books.

If I had one complaint, it would be the paucity of Lady Osbaldestone's acerbic dialogue.

(Has anyone else noticed that change of narrators means change in pronouncing her name?)

I liked it, which means I will listen to it again - my personal benchmark for any book.

After three disappointments in a row, I was ready to give up on this series. I'm glad I gave it one more chance - because this one is Classic Plum - complete with laugh out loud funny Lulu, hot Ranger moments, silly criminals and exploding cars.

My only complaint was not enough Grandma, but with so much else happening, she still managed to make herself heard.

Virgin River books are supposed to be about Virgin River citizens. Naming someone Riordan or making them a Sheridan and plopping them down into the bar is not enough to give them VR status - unless you include updated back story on the characters to whom they are related.


Angie and Patrick are both good characters, but their story didn't need VR to "work." Throwing the ever-annoying Mel into the mix with very little reason didn't do it. I love this series, so I'm willing to forgive quite a bit.

I can't complain about the ending without giving it away,but I will say that wrapping up the story felt like a race to the finish.

My other complaint is that Virgin River, a rural community dependent on deep relationships between neighbors, has generated far too many over-achieving professional women in recent volumes. How many attorneys. savvy businesswomen, doctors, etc. do we need in this tiny town?

The really good characters inevitably move away to find success elsewhere or become names on a list who appear at the bar for a potluck.

My fondest wish is for Mel to roll that Humvee down a ravine so Jack can find himself a new wife I can stand.

There weren't any surprises, which is a shame, as the writer shows she has the right tools at hand.

I'm going to have to listen to the Stone Creek novel by the same author before I can make a fair decision on whether or not to add Ms. Novark to my favorites list.

Will I listen to this one again? No, I don't think so, and that's my benchmark for romance novels.

I'm always a bit wary when buying something by a virtually unknown author. Nine times out of ten, I'm disappointed - but books like this one inspire me to keep taking chances on a new name.

It was lovely! I can hardly wait for the next one to come out. Great job Barbara! Write faster!

It appears to be a trend in romance novels to have plot devices involving separations between hero and heroine lasting not months, but years. I understand the reason behind the seven years, but that doesn't make it any less irritating to read.

In spite of the irritation, I have to say Eloisa has written a compelling story that kept me up all night to hear.

The biggest fault I could find is something that would spoil the story, so I won't say it.

I loved reading about the trials and tribulations of a male model trying to live a regular life. Charlie's trauma was sad, but not overdone.

I understand that Clay needed a back story of love lost, but there wasn't as much angst there as I expected, and for which I am truly thankful.

Fool's Gold keeps drawing me back, even after nine entries in the series, which is amazing. Most authors lose their way by the time they hit book six. This one is a little short, probably because much of the other stories in town weren't rehashed much.

Would I buy it again? Yes
Will I read it again? Absolutely

Girls Raised In The South will recognize the people in this book through friends and neighbors. Laugh out loud funny moments are skillfully juxtaposed with day to day life.

Once you read this one, you won't be able to stop until you''ve read everything Mary Kay Andrews has to offer - and the best part is that none will disappoint.

It wasn't the best of the Stone Creek stories, but it tied up loose ends very nicely and Jack Garrett did a fine job with the narration.

I was a bit disappointed not to have a more in depth (and longer) lead up to the end, but all in all, this is a book I've listened to twice, and will again.