Million-Dollar Love-Child

Million-Dollar Love-Child - Sarah Morgan

If you are reading this blog for the first time, please look at some of the older entries! I swear I read more than just Harlequins. It just happened to be a high-volume weekend, and I burned through a bunch of the ones I got in the mail. I'm also reading the autobiography of the alphabet (probably the next post, unless I get distracted by something lighter), so honest, there are other types of books itemized here!

Let's just say that it should have been called 5 Million-Dollar Love-Child, but since that sounds stupid, the $5 million part was a surprise to me. Honestly, no one is rich enough to pay $5 million for 2 weeks of sex with an ex-girlfriend. I won't reveal any more plot details, but I will say this is not staying in the house. Destined for the used bookstore.

I should also mention that this is a Harlequin Uncut title. Ooh, the same euphemisms for sex, plus she uses the toy handcuffs her son left in her purse (that somehow made it through airport security - as if!). Really, do not bother with this one unless you are desperate for something to read.

August 2006.

Traded to the Sheikh

Traded to the Sheikh - Emma Darcy

I actually own a few Harlequins by Emma Darcy. Often, she has a light, amusing touch that I like to re-read in the tub. Not so much with this one. The "topical" uprisings in African countries provided a melodramatic conflict, combined with too many 'ooh, am I going to end up a white slave in his modern harem?' dithering thoughts from the heroine. Destined for the used bookstore.

August 2006.

Stay Through the Night

Stay Through the Night - Anne Mather

I know - I've been reading a lot of Harlequins! I felt sick on the weekend, and nothing's better than lounging around under a comforter, reading brain candy. This one was set in Scotland, and prompted a mild desire to visit the islands there.

August 2006.

The Sicilian's Christmas Bride

The Sicilian's Christmas Bride - Sandra Marton

Another shipment of Harlequins yielded this treat (and a set of cutlery that Squeak is enjoying.) I called reader services to switch to Red Dress Ink selections (1 per month), instead of continuing to receive multiple Harlequin Presents selections every month. I'm supposed to keep getting the cutlery, though!

This one was okay. Not memorable in any way. Destined for the used bookstore.

August 2006.

The Italian Duke's Wife

The Italian Duke's Wife - Penny Jordan

If you've ever browsed the Harlequin shelves, you'll recognize the name 'Penny Jordan'. I got one of those mail solicitations that promised 2 free books if you answered a few questions, and I couldn't resist (because the Book Expo didn't give me nearly enough free books!) Anyway, this was the first one. It was okay, except that it made me dream I had MS (strange, but since the heroine had a weak leg due to a horrible accident, in my dream I had a weak leg due to MS). I'm going to try to sell it at the used book store one of these days.

August 2006.

Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare - Delilah Dawson

I don't think this book knew whether it wanted to be a (steamy) romance novel or a straightforward "bedtime" book. It wasn't a great romance. Free from the Book Expo.

August 2006.

On Agate Hill

On Agate Hill - Lee Smith

Due to be published September 19, 2006. This was a good post-Civil War novel. (If antebellum is pre-Civil War, what's the word for post? I can't think of it.) The framing device was a bit amusing, and certainly Smith nailed the voice of a dippy college drop-out trying to be reinstated, but I still question its necessity. The rest of the book is supposed to be diaries, letters, public records, etc. to piece together the life of the main character (and incidental characters along the way). So clearly, you need a way or a reason to get these documents together, but I felt like Tuscany was just too out-of-tone from the rest of the book. I wanted to read this and leave it in Halifax, but I ended up bringing it home. It's waiting to be passed on.

August 2006.

The Ghost at the Table

The Ghost at the Table - Suzanne Berne

Nicely written book. I read it after Terror at Turtle Mountain, so when the protagonist talks about the "Sisters of History" books she writes, I immediately wondered if this is how Penny Draper would describe her writing gig. Not identical, but same sort of pro-girl perspectives. Anyway, what I particularly enjoyed was how the 2 sisters have completely opposite recollections of the same events in their family history. As someone with 2 sisters and a brother, this was pitch-perfect! Berne captures the concern that comes with realizing you are not dressed appropriately for a family function, followed by the criticism from other family members who don't care/don't realize that you know you are not dressed appropriately. It was one of those chapters where you want to jump in and explain things to the characters so that they don't get the wrong idea.

If I remember correctly, this one comes out in the fall. It was a freebie from the Book Expo, and I left it in Halifax for my big little sister to read.

July 2006.

Terror at Turtle Mountain

Terror at Turtle Mountain - Penny Draper

I wish I'd realized this was based on true, historical events in the Canadian West. I might have paid more attention to some of the details along the way. This was a nice pre-teen/young teen story about a girl living in a coal mining town in the Rockies. After a tragedy at the mine, she has to find her inner strength to help the rest of the townsfolk deal with the aftermath. And I mean physically deal with a rockslide, not emotionally heal in the days and weeks following. Interesting read, and one I'd recommend if you are trying to raise independent, feminist Canadians with a strong sense of national pride. Or, if you just want the kids in your life to read something that doesn't have a single pop culture reference.

Passed this on to my baby sister, so she had to carry it back from Halifax.

July 2006.

Cross Bones

Cross Bones - Kathy Reichs

Why haven't I read her before? This was a freebie from the Book Expo, and to be honest, I found the cover ugly. So, logically, I was resistant to reading it. Hubby finally convinced me to take it to Halifax on my vacation, and once I started it, I couldn't read it fast enough. Really good plotting, nice sparse character development (not too much exposition), and the perfect pace. Loved it. Turns out this is the book series that the TV show 'Bones' is based on, and some critics hail Reichs as the successor to Patricia Cornwell. Not sure if I'd go that far, but a Brennan-Scarpetta crossover would be a geek dream come true.

Ignore the garish yellow cover and enjoy this book! Left it in Halifax for my big little sister to read.

July 2006