Each time I read a novel by Elizabeth Boyle, I am reminded of what an amazingly good author she is. HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING was an absolute delight!!! I loved it. I've had the book in my TBR pile since I purchased it a few months ago. Although the premise was an original and, in my opinion, a very daring one, with its BACK TO THE FUTURE like plot line and dreamy air, I was afraid...afraid because it sounded too good to be true. Afraid because, after THIS RAKE OF MINE, I didn't know if I could stand another downer.
Boyle did not disappoint. I loved the heroine. What a delightful woman! I adored and fell in love with the hero, who is head over heels in love with his lady. Wow wow and wow. I just couldn't get enough of the book and once it was over I...I...I wanted more. I was pleased to read that others might follow this one with the same MAKE A WISH magical aspect that characterizes the novel. I am jumping up and down inside. I highly recommend this book, which has a great many secondary characters who fortunately do not take over the book and lead a reader to wish Boyle had 50 hands, computers, brains, et al...so that she could write books for each and every one before Christmas day. I am still over the moon. It gave me butterflies....a clear keeper for me!!! The more I read, the more I realize that character driven romances, if written well, are what grab me and hold my attention. I adored the book, which is more than I can say for....
Gosh...character driven this book was not. I didn't know who the love story was about 'til a few chapters into it because there was absolutely no chemistry between the leads. I felt like I was watching THE BREAKUP, only without the breakup but with the gag reflex factor of seeing Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaugh together as a couple (sorry, but I really hated that movie!!!). I never understood why the hero loved the heroine or why he even liked her. She was the biggest spoiled brat in all of England. Their first meeting made no sense; where was the attraction smoldering between them? Where? No clue...still trying to figure that one out. How do you say BORING in French??? Because that's what this novel, I hate to say, was. The majority of the novel was spent finding some French spy or whatever in France. One moment...SPOILER ALERT...the heroine is thin as a board and next thing we know....move on to the next scene and she's knocked up by the hero. I don't get to experience anything! ARGH! The book is one of Ivory earlier efforts and I wish it were better. I didn't finish it. I had about 50 pages left and I stopped reading. I had gone far enough. I wasn't interested in whether either of these nitwits lived or died; didn't give a shit about their kid either. Dumbasses! I sold the book to a UBS. Good riddance...which is exactly what I thought when I sold....
Had I read this book in order of its series' spot, I never would have read the masterpiece that is LORD OF SCOUNDRELS. That's how much I hated this book...no wonder it's never mentioned in BEST OF or FAVE lists. The book is horrendous. Well written...great use of vocabulary and what not, but...gosh...the characters...blaugh! No words...just gag gag and more gag. The hero is a slut ho gigolo and the heroine...gosh, she's ok, I guess but really sometimes she was too independent and stupid for her own good. I didn't care a crap about the two and, like Ivory's book, I ended my torture about 50 to 70 pages before the ending. Couldn't finish it, despite having invested more than a month on it. Yes, my dears...more than a month and I could never even stomach the thought of reading the book. Thank the Lord for small miracles, for leading me to read LORD OF SCOUNDRELS first. Do not recommend this one at all...and you really don't need to read it to get LOS, so don't worry for all those series whores (like myself)...you don't need this at all. Skip it...don't even think about reading it! Sorry, Ms. Chase, but I really disliked it...love all your other books, but really cannot stand this one. Which leads me to the last book read...
I don't know what it is about Heath...many fans still feel betrayed by her having abandoned the Western genre. I started out reading her Victorians and I don't find them all that bad. Of course, who knows what I'll think of them once I finally get around to read the masterpieces (which I own but am waiting for time off to savor...only a few more days...joy!!!), but for now I LOVE HEATH'S NOVELS. They are really good. At times, I find myself wanting to hit one or two characters over the head with a hammer, but overall the stories leave me with butterflies and a feeling of well-being. A DUKE OF HER OWN did just that; it didn't have the typical happy ending I perhaps wanted, but it was a happy ending nonetheless and it left me satisfied and wanting for more. I'm excited for the other books in this series. Not too happy about having to wait 'til October of next yr for one of them though..but I will manage (see, girls...developing patience here...). I love books where heroes remain speechless and flustered when the heroine is in their presence and we get to see much of that in this book. I loved it and recommend it. Wish I could say more, but I'm almost too pooped to review it. It's a good beginning to what promises to be a good series...not a masterpiece or anything like that, but a good book nonetheless.
I've rediscovered my joy for reading and am happy to inform you that more is on its way...more reading, more reviews and more tidbits re: romance novels.
5 comments:
Wow, you've been busy! I also loved His Mistress by Morning. Elizabeth Boyle is pretty much an autobuy for me. I'm one of those who didn't think This Rake of Mine was too bad.
As for the Chase book, I'm finding her books to be very hit or miss, much to my huge disappointment. Loved LoS, The Last Hellion, and Lord Perfect. The other Carsington books have been good, but not great for me.
I keep hearing how fantastic Lorraine Heath is - must put her on my TBR list. Is this a good first book? Or is there a better one to start with?
Lori - Everyone tells me that if you read Heath's earlier books (Texas Destiny, Texas Glory), you won't like her Victorian series books. I don't know if this is really the case, but I do hear that her Westerns are excellent and I'll report on them once I get around to reading them. Try this book out. I enjoyed it...hmmm...trying to think of what book I started with...I started with AN INVITATION TO SEDUCTION, which is book 4 of a series...I loved AS AN EARL DESIRES...I would go to her site and check out her books, but definitely try her out. Try this book...not perfect, but not bad either. Good start to a series.
Please don't shout at me if you don't care for it :)
Glad you're back reading! Aren't slumps a terrible thing. I was kind of disappointed at the end of Something about Emmaline by Elizabeth Boyle so I haven't read one by her since. I did like it up until then and I have others of hers that I've liked. Sounds like a good one to wait and find used - to see if I'm ready to jump back into the Boyle waters.
I have the original Angel in a Red Dress (Starlit Surrender I think)unread yet so I'm not sure if I'll pick this one up or not.
We part ways on The Lion's Daughter. I really liked it. I thought it refreshing to see a not so heroic hero *g*
And - well - you know my thoughts on the last author. I really can hardly wait until you give her Westerns a try to see if you notice a difference in her style of writing.
Kristie - you were exactly the person (well, you and Sybil) I was thinking of when I mentioned people who don't like Heath's new books (I did mention that, right?)...I will have to try the westerns soon...I have all of them now..except ALWAYS but I should get started on the TEXAS series!!!
I'm glad to be back...the last few weeks and months have been weird for me. Bought the RAVEN PRINCE thanks to your suggestion...will read it after Hunter's RULES OF SEDUCTION...goody!!!
I can hardly wait to see if you like The Raven Prince as much as I do. I'm thinking you will because I know historicals are your favourites! And of course I'll be waiting for your thoughts once you read the Texas trilogy. I didn't think the third one was as good as the first two. But the first two were wonderful!! And do you have Sweet Lullabye? I know it's hard to find, but if a book were ever to make you cry, this is the one!
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