Showing posts with label Eloisa James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eloisa James. Show all posts

January 19, 2018

Over The Teacups #6

Short Reviews Over a Cuppa


book cover
Why?Susan Wiggs is a favourite author and I have liked and loved every contemporary fiction book she has written, so it was an auto-buy for me.
Plot?This is the story of so many, mainly that of Camille and her daughter Julie. But also Julie's father and his grandparents. Camille is an expert photographer but since the death of her husband five years ago she has not lifted a camera. Her daughter Julie a young teen is going through a tough time with some very overt bullying happening to her. Onto the scene comes Finn, who seeks out those who are lost - mainly soldiers and brings them home. He has a special mission to find his father.
What Appeals to Me?I loved the characters, yes Camille was a little prickly, but five years isn't that long in the scheme of things so its understandable she hasn't quite moved on. I liked her story and that of Julies as they let go and move on. I loved the small vignette WW11 story and the outcome from that. And of course it was delightfully set in both the east coast of the USA and Provence, France. Loved the writing too. Such an appealing read all round.
And so... the next Susan Wiggs book will of course be an auto-buy!

book cover
Why? I had a bit of spare reading space and was perusing Amazon and when I saw this one I clicked!  Eloisa James right!
Plot? This one is set in Georgian times, when they wore wigs and powdered their hair and the women wore very low cut dresses! Alaric is the hero and Willa the heroine. They are pretty much their own persons and don't worry too much about wigs and powder. He is back from big adventures, is a writer and very popular with the ladies. What follows is a love adventure with an evil killer thrown in and a skunk who knows when to leave a stink.
What Appeals to Me? Well written and fun. Light and warm mostly. I haven't met a pet skunk in a book before, plus the plot moved along well and was rather unique. Also there is a large Wilde family and plenty more stories to be told. It ends with a cliff hanger for one of the brothers - North and its sure to deliver.
And so... Sighting next book in series - Too Wilde to Wed which promises to publish about May 2018.



book cover
Why? Well Catherine Anderson is pretty much an auto-buy for me and when I need a really good comfort read, I can always rely on her to deliver.

Plot.  This is the story of 1) Tanner who is about 78 and living in an assisted apartment while he heals from a fall. And the woman who runs the place is a dragon. 2) Crystal his grand daughter who is keeping the home fires burning while her grandfather is in care. She is looking after his dog who is a total handful. Somehow she has a young kitten on her plate as well. 3) And then there are a couple of love interests and a small bit of mystery thrown in.

What Appeals to me. I liked the two sets of couples - one younger and one older - both full of wisdom and emotion. I liked Rip - the unforgettable dog, and feel good emotional story.

And so... The next Catherine Anderson book can't come soon enough! An auto-buy. There is a lovely interview with Catherine Anderson on Goodreads about this her latest book.

May 1, 2014

When Beauty Tamed the Beast. Eloisa James


When Beauty Tamed the Beast.  Eloisa James
When Beauty Tamed the Beast
Eloisa James
Publisher: Piatkus/AudioGo
Date: 2011/2012
Format: Large print
Pages:486
Genre: Historical romance
Source: Local library
If only Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne hadn't been caught kissing that prince ... But now the ton believes Linnet to be with royal child - and therefore unmarriageable - so she might as well make her desperate father happy by consenting to wed a beast.

A brilliant surgeon with a reputation for losing his temper - and a wound believed to have left him ... incapable - Piers, Earl of Marchant, should welcome a bride-to-be carrying a ready-made, blue-blooded heir. But Piers isn't fooled by the lady's subterfuge, and though Linnet's devilishly smart and lovely, there will be no wedding of beauty to beast.

Still, Lisle finds the gorgeous brute intriguing. And it's obvious to the naked eye that 'incapable' does not mean 'uninterested'...
My thoughts
I read a little historical romance now and then, so I was keen to read this book by Eloisa James as I always loved the Beauty and the Beast fairytale.  I find it a little more difficult to be drawn into historical romance, however I was soon happily engrossed and found the writing excellent and the story enjoyable.

The beast - Piers, Earl of Montague, is an irritable genius surgeon, and as I read I kept getting a vision of House M.D. in my brain, as they shared some traits.  I smiled when I reached the end of the book and Eloisa James actually mentions the inspiration she received from the scriptwriters of that TV show.  Piers has a very painful injury to his leg, caused by his father's drug hazed mind.  He has never forgiven his father - he has father issues!  He doesn't intend ever marrying and runs a kind of hospital at his large castle like home.

Into this situation arrives Linnet, brought along by his father - who is divorced from his wife, although during the story, his wife and mother of Piers comes visiting as well and there are interesting developments.  Linnet is young and beautiful and compassionate.  She is a match for Piers and is happy to speak back to him and the dragon of a housekeeper that Piers has supervising his patients.  She perhaps sets too much store on beauty as when it is in danger of being lost she is ready to run from love rather than receive the acceptance offered.

I enjoyed the whole story and was happily carried away with the fun and wit of the writing.  I did find the chicken run part of the story a little beyond belief.  I doubt anyone would come alive out of such a situation even in our era of  medicine. However in case you read the book I don't want to give anything away.  

4 stars


January 2, 2013

A Kiss at Midnight.

A Kiss at Midnight by Elosia James
Kindle Edition.
2010

This is a historical novel/fairytale, based on the Cinderella story and Eloisa James does it well.  Kate has a horrid stepmother and a fair and beautiful step sister, Victoria.  It appears her father when he died left the estate to Kate's stepmother and Kate has had to fend for herself and the people of the estate.

Standing in for her stepsister she accompanies Victoria's fiance to a castle where she meets her prince.  Of course they fall in love and eventually Kate is transformed with the help of her godmother.  Her prince cannot marry Kate though because... he needs money and Kate appears to have none.  Will he marry his wealthy princess or will he seek Kate out? It does follow the Cinderella story, so of course you the reader know that they will live happily ever after.

Favourite quote from the story from the prince's uncle:  "You don't learn kindness from memorizing even a whole book of the Bible. And that's the important thing, (kindness) to my mind."


I enjoyed the story although I was not swept away by it.


Personal Challenge 2013: Book 1 of 10 already on my Kindle.
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