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karlabrandenburg's reviews
495 reviews
Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
5.0
When Meg's best friend gets married, only a best friend can see through the nerves straight to the root of the problem. The groom is too perfect. The bride bails and Meg is expected to stick around just in case the bride changes her mind. Except Meg is a mess. Spoiled and thrown out into the world to make her way, she's clueless and penniless and wisecracking. The groom's home town rages against her for destroying the wedding of the century, but Meg has a keen insight into Mr. Perfect. I loved this story from beginning to end. My first SEP novel, and now I'm anxious to read more.
All a Woman Wants by Patricia Rice
4.0
Lady Beatrice Cavendish has been sheltered and cossetted for all of her life, to the point of becoming a spinster by her doting father. When father dies, Lady C is left with all of his debts and no idea how the world operates, which is a major source of frustration for her. She realizes the extent of how sheltered she's been and determines to become an independent woman.
Mac McTavish only plans to be in England long enough to visit his sister, who has been quiet too long, while he restocks his ship to prepare to sail back to America, where he will finally be master of his own business. Unfortunately, he finds his sister has died, and left two children behind, who are being neglected and abused by their drunken father. Rash and hot tempered, he kidnaps the children intending to take them back with him, but he needs a nanny. This need brings him to the door of Lady C, who seems to be the only one who can direct him to the nanny he is searching out.
Circumstances force Mac to take refuge with Lady Cavendish - she will help him shelter the children if he will help her learn how to manage the nearly bankrupt estate left to her charge.
It took me some time to invest myself in the story, but as it unfolded, I found myself drawn into the author's character studies. Two diametrically opposed personalities coming toward middle ground. I found the journey entertaining and the growth in the characters endearing, and yet there was still the dilemma of "home" to be settled once they found their way to each other. I enjoyed watching Lady C come out of her shell and the tremendous character growth she underwent. The romance I felt was done very well, and compared to other romance novels where the characters are carried away with hormones, this story had a more realistic approach to the physical side of things. It may have been drawn out overly long, and some of the "wickedness" might have been dealt with during the courtship so that by the marriage it wasn't quite as taboo. I was left wondering how they were going to determine where to live until the very end, seeing options open up. I can't say I'm satisfied with the choice that was made, but without writing another hundred pages to alter the decision, it worked. Obviously, one character had to make a big sacrifice, but as the book was about compromise, I might have preferred more middle ground.
Mac McTavish only plans to be in England long enough to visit his sister, who has been quiet too long, while he restocks his ship to prepare to sail back to America, where he will finally be master of his own business. Unfortunately, he finds his sister has died, and left two children behind, who are being neglected and abused by their drunken father. Rash and hot tempered, he kidnaps the children intending to take them back with him, but he needs a nanny. This need brings him to the door of Lady C, who seems to be the only one who can direct him to the nanny he is searching out.
Circumstances force Mac to take refuge with Lady Cavendish - she will help him shelter the children if he will help her learn how to manage the nearly bankrupt estate left to her charge.
It took me some time to invest myself in the story, but as it unfolded, I found myself drawn into the author's character studies. Two diametrically opposed personalities coming toward middle ground. I found the journey entertaining and the growth in the characters endearing, and yet there was still the dilemma of "home" to be settled once they found their way to each other. I enjoyed watching Lady C come out of her shell and the tremendous character growth she underwent. The romance I felt was done very well, and compared to other romance novels where the characters are carried away with hormones, this story had a more realistic approach to the physical side of things. It may have been drawn out overly long, and some of the "wickedness" might have been dealt with during the courtship so that by the marriage it wasn't quite as taboo. I was left wondering how they were going to determine where to live until the very end, seeing options open up. I can't say I'm satisfied with the choice that was made, but without writing another hundred pages to alter the decision, it worked. Obviously, one character had to make a big sacrifice, but as the book was about compromise, I might have preferred more middle ground.
The Divided Hearts by Karla Darcy
3.0
Lady Judith is leaving England to visit her father in colonial America, sent with the task of finding out where the loyalties of Nate Bellingham lie by Nate's grandmother.
Caught up in the intrigues of the struggles after the war of Independence, Nate affects the mannerisms of a "fop" to set people off his purpose. Will he return to assume his English title? Or will he remain in America?
A mysterious rider champions America's independence from England, newly gained and difficult to maintain. Judith must decide where her loyalties lie, with her mother country, or with the home of her father.
I have to admit that when I took this book in exchange for an honest review, I thought I was getting a historical romance. It is that, but it is heavy on the history and light on the romance. There were places I found the historical aspects almost intrusive to the story, and that will account for my not liking it as well as I might have. It is also written in an omniscent point of view, which I have to say I'm not a fan of. I will say that Ms. Darcy's descriptions are vivid and her characters charming. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Darcy's novelette, the Five Kisses, but this book is in stark contrast to that (which is set in England). I suppose that also accounts for some of my disappointment in the story that, again, wasn't what I expected.
The story moves along at a good pace, and as advertised, if you are a fan of Downton Abbey, you'll likely enjoy this romp through colonial America. For me, I have a "divided heart."
Caught up in the intrigues of the struggles after the war of Independence, Nate affects the mannerisms of a "fop" to set people off his purpose. Will he return to assume his English title? Or will he remain in America?
A mysterious rider champions America's independence from England, newly gained and difficult to maintain. Judith must decide where her loyalties lie, with her mother country, or with the home of her father.
I have to admit that when I took this book in exchange for an honest review, I thought I was getting a historical romance. It is that, but it is heavy on the history and light on the romance. There were places I found the historical aspects almost intrusive to the story, and that will account for my not liking it as well as I might have. It is also written in an omniscent point of view, which I have to say I'm not a fan of. I will say that Ms. Darcy's descriptions are vivid and her characters charming. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Darcy's novelette, the Five Kisses, but this book is in stark contrast to that (which is set in England). I suppose that also accounts for some of my disappointment in the story that, again, wasn't what I expected.
The story moves along at a good pace, and as advertised, if you are a fan of Downton Abbey, you'll likely enjoy this romp through colonial America. For me, I have a "divided heart."
The Virtuous Ward by Karla Darcy
4.0
Once again, Ms. Darcy delivers a fun romp through the Regency era. When Endurance "Amity" Fraser's parents died, she was appointed a guardian, who also died. His 21-year-old son was then assigned the task, but at 21, Max had no interest in playing nursemaid to a 10-year-old klutz. He assigns a solicitor to see to her well-being and upon Amity's 21st birthday, it is determined that she should "come out," after living her life alone but for servants and governesses. Amity has learned to adapt, and under the tutelage of her governess, she has grown into a self-assured young lady, although without a family around her, she is also a bit more free spirited. As she enters Max's home to begin the process of placing her on the marriage market, she throws his sense of order into upheaval.
The story is well written, light-hearted and a fun read. I would recommend it. The only thing holding me back from five stars is the number of typos that I continue to trip over in Ms. Darcy's novels.
The story is well written, light-hearted and a fun read. I would recommend it. The only thing holding me back from five stars is the number of typos that I continue to trip over in Ms. Darcy's novels.
Grayson Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw
4.0
Addison Lockhart has inherited her mother's ancestral home, a home she didn't know existed, and that's only the beginning of the mysteries that her mother didn't share. As a child, Addison realized she had abilities that other people didn't possess, but again, her mother refused to acknowledge those skills, leaning Addison to feel like either a liar or a freak. Now that Addison has moved into the ancestral home, she realizes that she can no longer suppress her abilities. With the help of an understanding handyman, she taps into family secrets, hidden for decades.
This is an excellent haunted house book and I very much enjoyed the read. Even with a limited suspect pool, I was guessing whodunit right to the end.
This is an excellent haunted house book and I very much enjoyed the read. Even with a limited suspect pool, I was guessing whodunit right to the end.
The Arrangement by Mary Balogh
5.0
Oh, I do love Ms. Balogh's books!
Afraid of a boring life, Vincent Hunt took a military commission, which promptly rendered him sightless in his first battle. Now, as the heir to a rambling estate, his mother and sisters are smothering him with solicitousness, to the point of trying to shackle him with a wife who "doesn't mind" that he can't see. What else can he do? He runs away with his valet to his humble beginnings.
Sophia has led a difficult life. Born into the gentry, she has had to endure a reprobate father, a runaway mother, and upon losing both of them, she has been handed off to uncaring aunts who, each in their turn, turned her into a silent mouse left to sit in the corner to observe, rather than partake in life. But when her snooty aunt and uncle take it upon themselves to secure a wealthy, titled bachelor for her cousin, Sophia rescues Vincent from being led astray by her scheming relatives, and is thrown out for her trouble.
Well aware of his predicament, Vincent is grateful for the rescue, and then horrified by the results of Sophia's kind assistance. What is an impulsive man to do? He can't leave her to wallow in squalor on the streets of London after her service. So he marries her instead.
The story is brilliantly crafted. Like most marriages in that time period, the bride and groom hardly know each other, and yet there is a sympathy between them. They each want to be their own person, Vincent to regain his life and not use his blindness as a crutch, and Sophia to emerge from her silent corner to finally live her life.
Ms. Balogh's novels are often a study in redemption. Her characters in this novel are well crafted, with both flaws and virtues. The creativity of the heroine neatly matches the desires of the hero, and the conflict that separates them is believable and not overdone. Her handicapped hero is likable and appealing, and there is no better foil for him than the once unattractive Cinderella-like character of Sophia. This novel is a keeper for my shelves, one that I will read many more times in the years to come.
Afraid of a boring life, Vincent Hunt took a military commission, which promptly rendered him sightless in his first battle. Now, as the heir to a rambling estate, his mother and sisters are smothering him with solicitousness, to the point of trying to shackle him with a wife who "doesn't mind" that he can't see. What else can he do? He runs away with his valet to his humble beginnings.
Sophia has led a difficult life. Born into the gentry, she has had to endure a reprobate father, a runaway mother, and upon losing both of them, she has been handed off to uncaring aunts who, each in their turn, turned her into a silent mouse left to sit in the corner to observe, rather than partake in life. But when her snooty aunt and uncle take it upon themselves to secure a wealthy, titled bachelor for her cousin, Sophia rescues Vincent from being led astray by her scheming relatives, and is thrown out for her trouble.
Well aware of his predicament, Vincent is grateful for the rescue, and then horrified by the results of Sophia's kind assistance. What is an impulsive man to do? He can't leave her to wallow in squalor on the streets of London after her service. So he marries her instead.
The story is brilliantly crafted. Like most marriages in that time period, the bride and groom hardly know each other, and yet there is a sympathy between them. They each want to be their own person, Vincent to regain his life and not use his blindness as a crutch, and Sophia to emerge from her silent corner to finally live her life.
Ms. Balogh's novels are often a study in redemption. Her characters in this novel are well crafted, with both flaws and virtues. The creativity of the heroine neatly matches the desires of the hero, and the conflict that separates them is believable and not overdone. Her handicapped hero is likable and appealing, and there is no better foil for him than the once unattractive Cinderella-like character of Sophia. This novel is a keeper for my shelves, one that I will read many more times in the years to come.
Redneck P.I. by Trish Jackson
4.0
Twila is a having a run of bad luck. Left on her wedding day, she swears to overcome. Then the recession hits and she's forced to move from her home in the Deep South to the urban jungle of Boston. She's brash, she's sassy and she's buxom, a lethal combination. Her more refined coworkers make fun of her southern accent and her womanly figure, but she's bound and determined to prove herself. So she breaks her "no more men" rule to show off, only to have her showy date shot. Her world continues to crumble around her until she finds a new avenue, continuing to reinvent herself against great odds.
Twila's personality shines in this fun romp of a redneck woman who is exceptionally proud of her roots, has tremendous heart and exceptional resilience. A fun read.
Twila's personality shines in this fun romp of a redneck woman who is exceptionally proud of her roots, has tremendous heart and exceptional resilience. A fun read.
The Chief of All Time by S.R. Howen
4.0
Shannon Running Deer is a brilliant, successful Trauma Surgeon, top of his class, advanced ahead of his grade and trained at John Hopkins. He has a chip on his shoulder and an American Indian stereotype to overcome, the same stereotype that made him abandon his roots. But American Indian roots run deep, and Running Deer is no ordinary American Indian. Trained as a Medicine Man from his early youth, the spirits that guide him are calling him back.
Caught between two worlds, Shannon must choose between his heritage and the white man's world when Morning Dove crosses his path. She appears to him a homeless Indian, a bitter reminder of why he left the reservation, and then she shows up in his trauma unit after being hit by a car. Except instead of dying from her injuries, she makes a miraculous recovery, and lures Running Deer back to his roots.
Mystical. Magical. Spiritual. This book addresses the classic battle of good versus evil, the results of which are both frightening and uplifting. Howen lays the groundwork carefully for the confrontation that lies ahead, and rewards you with the satisfying conclusion. A beautiful portrayal of American Indian heritage and human values.
Caught between two worlds, Shannon must choose between his heritage and the white man's world when Morning Dove crosses his path. She appears to him a homeless Indian, a bitter reminder of why he left the reservation, and then she shows up in his trauma unit after being hit by a car. Except instead of dying from her injuries, she makes a miraculous recovery, and lures Running Deer back to his roots.
Mystical. Magical. Spiritual. This book addresses the classic battle of good versus evil, the results of which are both frightening and uplifting. Howen lays the groundwork carefully for the confrontation that lies ahead, and rewards you with the satisfying conclusion. A beautiful portrayal of American Indian heritage and human values.
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
4.0
Slow going, but worth the read. A story slowly revealed, gently unraveled, brilliantly crafted.