Review: On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

Publisher: Plume
Pages: 336
Released: 2012
Source: Publisher
Rating: 5/5



Synopsis:

Anna Emerson is a thirty-year-old high school english teacher, stuck in a dead-end relationship. Anna doesn’t know why she’s still with her boyfriend, he’s adamant that he doesn’t want marriage or children, which are both something Anna would love. Looking to distance herself from him, Anna accepts a summer job tutoring a sixteen year-old boy who recently won his battle with cancer. TJ Callahan really doesn’t want to study in the Maldives all summer, but his parents want to spend the summer together in an exotic location. When Anna and TJ board their chartered plane, Anna notices their pilot is in distress. In mid-flight the pilot suffers a heart attack and they have no chance to call for help. For the next couple of years, Anna and TJ learn to rely on each other and live on a deserted island.



Review:

I was really surprised to read so many positive reviews of this book. I went into it, expecting not to like the book. Originally, I thought the storyline was really strange; having Anna and TJ fall in love but honestly, Graves did an amazing job setting up the relationship. Their relationship was a slow process, a natural progression and Anna really grappled with her emotions. TJ is almost nineteen when Anna gives in; they had been on the island for almost 3 years. They only had each other, and no hopes of ever being found. It didn’t seem like any planes were looking for them and eventually they stopped hoping. They knew that their families thought they were dead. Anna and TJ formed a teacher-student bond, a friendship and eventually a romance.

Their survival story was realistically portrayed. They ensure hardship, and setbacks. Living on a deserted island with very little food, made them resourceful. I really didn’t want to put this book down. I wanted to see how it would end and wondered what would become of Anna and TJ. If they ever left the island, would they manage to stay together? I highly recommend this one! I was skeptical, but all those positive reviews really did have merit.

Review: Midnight on Julia Street by Ciji Ware

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Pages: 512
Released: 2011
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4/5



Synopsis:

Corlis McCullough moved to New Orleans after she lost her job, and now she has been fired from her job again. How was she supposed to know who was connected to whom, and how her story would upset the wrong people? Corlis seems to always get herself in trouble as a reporter. When her college nemesis, King offers to set her up with a job, she takes is reluctantly. She would love to tell him no, but she had no other options. Shortly after, King finds himself fighting to keep historical buildings from being demolished for new condos, and Corlis begins working with King to tell his side of the story. The more time she spends with King, the more her feelings are beginning to change, which puts the story in jeopardy. Corlis has been having strange dreams, and flashbacks about the buildings that are threatened to be torn down. When she begins to do her own research, Corlis realizes there are not simply dreams.



Review:

Ciji Ware’s books are hard to give a short synopsis. Her books are filled with twists and turns and plenty of historical details. Ware really brings readers two stories, Corlis in the 1920’s and present-day Corlis. New Orleans is brought alive, and readers get the sense of the atmosphere. I really enjoyed the novel, but thought it felt a little too long. It seemed to drag a little bit with so many details. I’ve read most to Ciji Ware’s books, but this one isn’t my favorite.

I really enjoyed Corlis’ characters, she was strong, opinionated and she struggled with herself. When she started to have feelings for King, she didn’t know if she should act on them. Her heart told her one thing, but her mind told her to wait. She needed to get the story, and she needed to put her career first. It was really interesting to learn about their college experience, and their hatred for one another. Both characters really grew since college, and mellowed in their ways.

I would recommend this one. I thought the story was well written and entertaining. The setting was fascinating and the characters were well developed. If you’ve never read Ciji Ware before, I would recommend A Cottage by the Sea, Wicked Company, and/or A Race to Splendor. These books are my favorite.

Review: Overseas by Beatriz Williams

Publisher: Putnam
Pages: 464
Released: 2012
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 5/5



Synopsis:

Kate Wilson is trying to make it on Wall Street; she’s working for a great firm and hoping to go back to business school the following semester, in order to advance her career. When she hears that the legendary, Julian Lawrence will be coming into her office, she’s excited and nervous. Unfortunately, Wall Street is a cut throat business and Kate is rushed out of the boardroom, with only a quick glance at Julian, her manipulative boss decides to present the presentation herself. As Kate walks past Julian, she has no idea, but he instantly feels a connection with her. Julian knows his past may be a problem, but he really doesn’t want to walk away from Kate. Their relationship quickly grows, and Julian struggles with Kate’s independence and strong will.


The story alternates between 1916 France, where Julian and Kate’s story began to New York in 2008. There’s reason why Julian can so easily admit to loving Kate after a few weeks, their story began long ago, and Julian doesn’t know how much, if any, of the story he should tell Kate. He’s been patiently, waiting for her.



Review:

I’m not a time travel or a romance reader, and I couldn’t put this book down. I was amazed that this is Williams debut novel. Wow, she is talented! Overseas is the type of book that fully consumes the reader. You’ll want to hide, and not be found until you’ve finished. This one is difficult to categorize, but very enjoyable!

I will admit I was fully expecting Julian to shower Kate with gifts, and money and he didn’t. She wouldn’t allow it, which I respected. I thought it added to the romance, and didn’t cast Kate in an unfavorable light. Julian has been waiting for her, for a long time but he can’t scare her away. His past is potentially very dangerous for Kate, and he must protect her which is not easy to do when someone is as stubborn and hard headed as Kate.

I was fully invested in Julian and Kate’s relationship. While their relationship is fast paced, it’s believable. I really enjoyed the Wall Street setting and the twists and turns that resulted in that world, especially in 2008 when Wall Street was a very difficult place to be. I thought it added a great dimension to the story. The time travel was not overpowering and confusing; it helped to facilitate the romance and built the story. Williams did a great job incorporating the time travel, giving readers enough to remain curious and intrigued, but not too much to completely pull the reader out of the present-day storyline.

I highly recommend this one! It will be on my 2012 list of favorite books.

Review: The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

Goodreads Description:

When Eva's film star sister Katrina dies, she leaves California and returns to Cornwall, where they spent their childhood summers, to scatter Katrina's ashes and in doing so return her to the place where she belongs. But Eva must also confront the ghosts from her own past, as well as those from a time long before her own. For the house where she so often stayed as a child is home not only to her old friends the Halletts, but also to the people who had lived there in the eighteenth century. When Eva finally accepts that she is able to slip between centuries and see and talk to the inhabitants from hundreds of years ago, she soon finds herself falling for Daniel Butler, a man who lived - and died - long before she herself was born. Eva begins to question her place in the present, and in laying her sister to rest, comes to realize that she too must decide where she really belongs, choosing between the life she knows and the past she feels so drawn towards.

I did not finish this one. I had a very hard time getting into the story, and didn't feel like picking it back up every time I put it down. I was about 200 pages in, and I couldn't read anymore...The more I forced myself to read it, the more I didn't feel like reading it. I don't read a lot of time travel, and I think this had a lot to do with it. I loved The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley, and I expected to fall in love with this one as well. I had a hard time connecting with the main character, and couldn't really enjoy the other characters either. Most people seemed to have loved this one, and I really want to try and read this one another time when I'm in the mood for it.

Review: Wicked Company by Ciji Ware

Publisher: Sourcebooks 
Pages: 609 
Source: Publisher 
Category: Historical Fiction 


Sophie McGann is motherless, and almost penniless. Her father owns a bookshop, where Sophie spends most of her time. Recently, her father seems to be selling unlawful material to noblemen. When her father refuses to sell anymore erotic material, a vengeful nobleman has him arrested and he's carted off to jail. Sophie soon finds herself on her own, and grieving for her father. Sophie, an education, stubborn and unforgiving girl uses her writing skills and printing press to vindicate her father's death. Sophie soon finds herself on the run and in need of a quick, safe getaway. Hunter Robinson, a traveling juggler turned actor comes to her rescue. Hunter hides Sophie in a friends traveling trunk headed to London. Sophie intends to start new, find her aunt and uncle in London, and work in their bookshop. Sophie finds the bookshop in ruins, her uncle dead, and her aunt suffering from a severe mental illness. Sophie is shocked, concerned but very determined. While in London Sophie discovers the world of theater, and hopes to become a petticoat writer. 

'Wicked Company' spans thirteen years, and gives a very detailed account of Sophie McGann's life. Many characters comes in and out of her life, and Hunter Robinson continually makes an appearance. Sophie is independent, stubborn, and betrayals force her to be constantly cautious. She is always the loyal friend, daughter and niece. Sophie befriends many great individuals, but in the world of theatre many are focused on themselves and themselves only. Sophie has many life lessons to learn and many heartbreaks of overcome. 

Another great book from Ciji Ware! I've never read a book like this, it felt like I was reading a Dickens novel. I love Dickens style. The time period was very refreshing for me. I've never read anything about petticoat writers, and I kept turning the pages. This is one that you may want to sit down and read for awhile. It's hard to only pick it up for five minutes at a time. Ciji Ware descriptions are enchanting, her characters dynamic and her plot unforeseeable. This is my second Ciji Ware book, and I've loved both. A Cottage by the Sea was my favorite, but this book is the complete opposite. A Cottage by the Sea was more of a simple Romance novel, whereas this one is pure Historical Romance. I believe they're incomparable. Ciji Ware's writing style shined in this one and her talent is undeniable.

Review: A Cottage by the Sea by Ciji Ware

Publisher: Sourcebooks (reprint)
Pages: 544
Category: Romance
Source: Publisher


Blythe is facing an impending high-profile divorce in Hollywood, she's a Hollywood production designer, and her husband is a famous director. Their divorce is front-page news on every gossip magazine, CNN has joined in as well. The story couldn't get any juicier. Blythe's husband of eleven years has done the unthinkable, he has cheated on her. If that wasn't humiliating enough, after years of wanting a child herself Blythe finds out he has fathered a child. To make matter worst, the mistress happens to be her own sister. Blythe is humiliated and destroyed. She accepts the unacceptable, and decides she needs a break from the media and Hollywood. She flees to a small cottage in Cornwall, on a beautiful estate. According to family legend told by her deceased grandmother, Blythe believes the estate was originally owned by her ancestors. The manor home is owned by Luke Teague, a gentle, comforting widow. A man who is patient and desperately trying to save his ancient estate. As she attempts to hide from her present, she is confronted with her past. A history of love triangles, family customs, and tragedy. All experiences are first hand when Blythe mysteriously, and unfathomably time travels. The root of the triangle is the original Blythe Barton, the current Blythe experiences flashbacks true to the past. While Blythe cannot explain these instances to herself, she has no intention of mentioning them to anyone. As she begins to heal, Blythe and Luke becomes business partners. Both seeking to save the estate.


I know I have mentioned that I am not a romance fan. Honestly, I think I've been lying. I really loved this novel. The story was original, heart-wrenching and fresh. I wasn't sure what to expect and I was quickly drawn into the story. I will definitely read more from Ciji Ware. It was a great read! The romance was sweet, honest and real. Blythe and Luke each have their own inner obstacles to overcome. They each have a bitter past, but each has their unique issues. I never thought this story was predictable, and cheesy. The only thing I suspected was the romance between Blythe and Luke. However, a romance novel must have a romance take place. I enjoyed it from the first few pages to the last.

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Review: The Mistress’ House by Leigh Micheals

Title: The Mistress’ House

Publisher: Sourcebooks
Pages: 320
Source: ARC provided by Publisher
Category: Romance
Rating: 3/5


Synopsis:

The Earl of Hawthorn is a confirmed, notable rake, to make his life more interesting he purchases a London Townhouse who’s garden connects to his own. A Townhouse that can easily conceal his not-so-quiet affaires. This townhouse becomes crucial to the lives of three individual couples. The Earl of Hawthorn was well known as the town “rake.” Lady Anne has come to town with an idea of her own. She’s been married, she’s young and widowed and she has no intentions of marrying again. Her brother doesn’t agree that she should live alone, although she has more than enough wealth to take care of herself. He prefers to marry her off to the highest bidder. The men seem to be flocking to Lady Anne, all of whom are well aware of her assets. Anne will not go through with another marriage, her scheme is to sully her reputation. A respectable woman can marry again, a tainted woman will be scorned. That is exactly what she wants. Anne asks the Earl of Hawthorn to “ruin” her. However, much to their dismay, their relationship begins to grow and they are no longer just having an affair. They must decide on how to proceed with their lives. Do they dare marry? Will her brother consent to their marriage? The London Townhouse soon becomes the setting for two more couples to fall in love. A house with many secrets.



Overall Impression:

“The Mistress’ House” was a nice romance. I really enjoyed reading the romance stories, and all three couples were unique. I would have liked more of a historical setting. The book doesn’t go beyond the romances, and I felt that it was lacking in character development and plot. However, I did enjoy the read. Each character is flawed, and real. The stories flowed well, and each had an interesting premise. As i’ve said before I’m not much of a romance reader, but when a book goes beyond the romance aspect, I can really enjoy it. Leigh Micheals has written over 80 books, and I will certainly give her another chance. I just think 3 stories, in just over 300 pages wasn’t enough, I wanted more. If you’re a real romance lover, I would recommend this one.


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