Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Loose Girl [Cohen]

Book: Loose Girl
Author: Kerry Cohen
Genre: Nonfiction

Review: 'Loose Girl' is a memoir that follows Cohen from age 11 until her mid-20s. A product of divorced parents, Cohen and her older sister move in with their father when their mother leaves the US to go to medical school overseas. Living with a father whose only concern is good grades, Cohen quickly starts partying in the city and engaging in sexual relationships with random men. A destructive pattern quickly starts that finds Cohen looking for love and acceptance in the wrong places that follows her through high school, college and beyond.

Many books have been written about drug addiction, alcoholism and eating disorders, but sexual addiction (or promiscuous behavior) is something that is rarely discussed. It was interesting to hear Cohen's story, although the memoir abruptly ended with Cohen meeting her husband-I was hoping for another few chapters with her analyzing her "loose" behavior. Overall-still an engaging read.

Book Junkie's Grade: B


Dead End Dating: A Novel of Vampire Love [Raye]

Book: Dead End Dating: A Novel of Vampire Love [Dead End Dating Book 1]
Author: Kimberly Raye
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review: Lil Marchette isn't like most vampires-she prefers spray tans, gold highlights, designer clothes and the color pink. After opening her own matchmaking agency (Dead End Dating), Lil tries to find her clients true love while hunting a serial killer and avoiding a hot bounty hunter.

Overly light and fluffy, this book was amusing but lacked enough substance to hold my interest.

Book Junkie's Grade: C+

The Taste of Innocence [Laurens]

Book: The Taste of Innocence [Cynster #14]
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Genre: Romance - Historical

Review: Charlie, Earl of Meredith, decides it is time to marry and offers his hand to his neighbor, Sarah Conningham. She requires a 2-week period to 'get to know each other' before accepting, and Charlie quickly commences a seduction strategy. The couple is soon wed but the gentle, loving man Sarah thought she was marrying turns into a cold, impersonal husband during daylight hours. As Sarah struggles with her marriage, Charlie has to comes to grips with the fact that he loves his wife while they both try to solve a local mystery involving an orphanage.

Most Cynster books have a set formula: they start with a titled man who "has" to find a wife and an independent woman who is willing to engage in an affair but needs to be convinced to be married. The woman quickly realizes she loves the man but the man's realization comes at the end. What made this book refreshing was that the title characters got married almost immediately-breaking the formula, yeah! I enjoyed the changed of pace and the actions of Charlie, the male lead who turns quickly from loving fiance to cold husband. The "mystery" surrounding the lead characters was laughable and Lauren's wrapped up a villain (who makes appearances in previous Cynster novels) was too sappy to be believable.

Book Junkie's Grade: C+

Friday, April 9, 2010

Temptation and Surrender [Laurens]

Book: Temptation and Surrender (Cynster)
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Genre: Romance - Historical

Review: Jonas Tallent is in desperate need of someone to manage his inn in his small town when he meets Emily. She has arrived in town with her 4 siblings and while it is obvious she is gentry fallen on hard times, she and her family are secretly looking for a family treasure. Hindered by boring lead characters, a ridiculous plot (banking your family's future on a rhyme about a treasure..really??), an extremely obvious villain and gratuitous sex scenes, this book was terrible.

Book Junkie's Grade: D

Monday, April 5, 2010

Succubus Shadows [Mead]

Book: Succubus Shadows [Georgina Kincaid #5]
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review: Georgina's life is a mess. Her ex-boyfriend (Seth) is engaged to her best friend and she's somehow in the wedding party and tasked with helping the bride find a wedding dress. Meanwhile, there is a new succubus in town who is trying to corrupt Seth and some sort of dark force calling to her in her dreams and her roommate Roman, may or may not want to kill her. When she becomes trapped in a new world, Georgina is forced to face her worst nightmares and past transgressions. Can her friends save her? Read to find out!

LOVED it! Mead's writing is witty and funny. While lingering questions weren't answered (in fact, a few more things were posed to readers) I can't wait to find out what happens in the 6th and final installment (hopefully coming out soon, but I'm sure I'll have to wait a year).

Book Junkie's Grade: B+

What Price Love? [Laurens]

Book: What Price Love? [Cynster #13]
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Genre: Romance - Historical

Review: After her twin brother accepts an assist horse training position and goes missing, Lady Priscilla Dalloway heads to the races to find him. She immediately meets Dillon Caxton, Keeper of the Register, and needs his help. Afraid that her brother is caught up in something illicit and dangerous, she gives Dillon a false name and tries to woo information from him with her feminine wiles. Unfortunately for her, Dillon is as physically beautiful and intelligent as she, and knows she is up to something.

One of my favorites of the Cynster books, I love how Dillon had a scandalous past. Most of the males in these stories are beyond reproach, so "perfect" (their only flaw being their possessiveness) that it was a nice change to see a character who was multidimensional. Pris was also a spitfire and Laurens did a great job of creating feisty interactions between the two. The "mystery" surrounding an illicit gaming ring was interesting, if overly detailed, but overall, fun book.

Book Junkie's Grade: B+

The Ideal Bride [Laurens]

Book: The Ideal Bride [Cynster #11]
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Genre: Romance - Historical

Review: Politician Michael Anstruther-Wetherby is in need of a wife. Thinking he's met the perfect woman, he sets off to learn more about her and surprisingly finds himself drawn to her widowed aunt, Caroline Sutcliffe. As Michael redirects his energies to Caro, Caro finds herself drawn to Michael but doesn't want to be trapped in another political marriage. As they navigate their relationship, like most romance novels, they have to solve a mystery that ultimately brings them closer together.

Laurens did a great job creating strong, likable, well-matched lead characters. A fun, romantic, sexy read.

Book Junkie's Grade: B

The Perfect Lover [Laurens]

Book: The Perfect Lover [Cynster #10]
Author: Stephanie Laurens
Genre: Romance - Historical

Review: With a history of antagonizing each other over the years, old friends Simon Cynster and Portia Ashford find themselves at the same house party deep in the English country. Unbeknown to the other, they each have a plan to find a suitable spouse. As Simon and Portia's relationship develops into something they never thought possible, the house party is rocked by a gruesome murder. Simon and Portia try to solve the murder while exploring the feelings being awakened.

Like all the Cynster book, this was a fun, easy, romantic read. Simon was a strong lead character and Portia was okay as his leading lady. Fans of the series will enjoy the many scenes with Lady O, who is a guest at the house party and is instrumental in bringing Simon and Portia together.

Book Junkie's Grade: B-

(side note-I've checked out a bunch of Stephanie Laurens books from the library. If you are interested in the Cynster series, you do not have to read them in order)