Ways to be Wicked

Grade: D-

Summary: Sylvie Lamoureux is the darling of the Paris ballet, renowned for her beauty and passionate dedication to her art. But when a mysterious letter sends her across the English Channel, she finds herself literally landing in the lap of one of London's most notorious men.

Review: Book was boring, way to much storyline about Sylvie dancing in The White Lily. The author seemed to get lost and lose her way in writing the story. I did like the character of "The General". He had some great comedic lines and brought a humanness to the story.
Tom definitely gives the best gifts to Sylvie; they aren't jewels or extravagant gifts but ones she really wants. The music box and mirrors showed how much Tom paid attention to Sylvie and her wants and needs.
Started to get more interesting when Sylvie and Tom sleep together ( second half of book) and she is trying to figure out if what she feels for Tom is love. In some aspects Sylvie was an intriguing character. She is definitely not your average regency character; a ballerina and having had a lover who wasn't the romantic lead. Just wish the story could have supported Sylvie more.
When Sylvie and her long lost sister, Susannah from the first book, finally meet it is really abrupt. I didn't feel emotionally involved with their reunion at all. Even when Etienne, Sylvie's lover, and his role in the background is revealed I couldn't bring myself to be shocked.
After being numbed by page after page of Sylvie learning to dance with her "derrière in the air" I was just ready for the end. It was kind of like, meet sister in an anti-climatic way- check; take care of Etienne in an anti-climatic way -check; happily ever after- check.
Deleting "Ways to be Wicked" from my computer- check.


Next to be read: "The Secret to Seduction" #3 in Holt Sisters Trilogy by Julie Anne Long. Since this is the last book in the series I am going to go ahead and read it. I honestly don't think it can be any more disappointing than the second one. I feel dramatic but the first book was so good! How dare Julie Anne Long play with my emotions this way.

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It knew things, that smile.

Beauty and the Spy by Julie Anne Long

Beauty and the Spy

Grade: A

Summary: DESCRIPTION: SHOCKING! London's belle of the ball, Susannah Makepeace, is the last person who should suddenly be stuck in the sleepy village of Barnstable. In town, she would never have seen a man swimming naked in a pond. And she certainly would have resisted the urge to draw every single bit of him in astonishing detail! SIZZLING! Very few people know that Viscount Kit Whitelaw is the best spy in His Majesty's secret service. But his high-flying life has finally banished him from London. Not to worry--if Susannah's erotic sketches are any indication of her nature, she'll be a delicious stand-in for the thrill of espionage. SCANDALOUS! When odd accidents follow in Susannah's wake, Kit's spy senses start tingling. For what better mystery is there for England's greatest spy than the secrets of the delectable puzzle that is Susannah?

Review: Holy guacamole, straight up awesome beginning. The prologue has the Holt sister's dad being murdered, their mom going on the run, and them being given over to their parents friend James Makepeace. I hope Long can keep this pace and amount of intrigue throughout the book!
Wonderfully written characters, can not wait for Kit and Susannah to meet. They both seem very immature and I am interested in how Long will get them to grow up.
Great. First. Meeting. Between Kit and Susannah ;)
Ooh the character Caroline is really intriguing to me. I was completely prepared to loathe her and then when she finally appears I find myself fascinated by her instead.
I enjoyed how Long wrote these two characters falling love. Strangely I felt like it was a slow gradual process and at others I felt like they fell in love instantly.
All the characters are extremely multifaceted, even the villain Thaddeus Morley. As with the other villain Caroline you may not agree with what they are doing but it's hard not to understand the choices they made.
I liked how Long wrote the clues to the mystery in the story so that the reader figured it out before the characters. It was fun seeing Kit connect the dots and cheering him on.
Long definitely kept up the pace in the story and I never wanted to put the book down. The ending has a little shocker, hopefully in the next book Long updates the reader on John Carr and Caroline! Beauty and the Spy was a great book; intriguing characters and an actually storyline which was enthralling.
Usually in order for books to receive As from me they have to be "keepers". However, in order to be deemed a "keeper" by me they have to be books I know I will want to read again. This was a great book but for some reason I don't think I would read it again and I'm not sure why I feel that way. So anyway this book is definitely worth your time reading but I don't consider it a keeper for me.

P.S. I chose this book because of the cover, yes I am that shallow but it turned out to be an excellent choice. So my advice for the day: Is be shallow! You never know where it could take you ;)


Next to be read: "Ways to be Wicked" #2 in Holt Sisters Trilogy by Julie Anne Long. I'm sticking with a series folks! Yeah Me!!

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"The moving finger writes and having writ, moves on. And all your piety and wit, won’t call it back to cancel half a line. Nor will your tears wash out a word of it.“

Silk and Secrets by Mary Jo Putney

Silk and Secrets

Grade: C

Summary: Lord Ross Carlisle was a scholar whose danger-filled journeys through Central Asia over the past dozen years had brought him fame and fortune, and enough challenges to distract him from the memory of his beautiful young wife's betrayal. But, just as he is about to embark on his next adventure, the handsome nobleman receives two pieces of news that will change his life forever. First, he's informed of his half brother's death -- a tragedy that leaves him burdened with an inheritance he truly never wanted. And second, he learns that his brother-in-law, Ian, has been imprisoned by the powerful Amir of Bokhara, a madman who is known for his hatred of all Europeans. Ross knows he should return to England, to spare his ailing father concern for the safety of his only surviving son. But both honor and desire urge him to risk one final adventure, a perilous and probably impossible mission to determine Ian's fate. Encountering his estranged wife in a desert stronghold along the way seems proof that fate has lately taken Ross in hand. For Ian's sister, Juliet, is now passionately determined to accompany the husband she once fled; and her unladylike survival skills and matchless knowledge of her adopted homeland offer the first faint glimmers of hope that the success of this mission will not mean merely returning alive with definite proof of her brother's death.

Review: Oh I am excited to read this book now because at the beginning the author states she used actual historical events and people in this story. Yeah! The nerdiness in me looooves this kind of thing.
Oh man I had to break out a map and look up all these places mentioned in the book, never heard of them before.
I know I am obsessed with Indiana Jones and try to connect it to every thing but this book is really giving me the Jones vibe; a man traveling in distant lands….
The scenery and places the characters travel eclipses the story for me at times. Ross and Juliet faded into the background a lot.
It took me a long time to read this story because of all the interesting tidbits Putney threw into it that I had no clue about. I am almost ashamed at how much time I wasted on reading about Heavenly Horses of Ferghana. The story never seemed to settle down for me so that I could focus fully on Ross and Juliet.
Really wish the reason for Juliet leaving Ross was revealed a lot sooner, the reason isn't given until there are only 20 pages left in the book. Not knowing the reason held the story back for me because without knowing I felt their relationship couldn't move forward. Juliet's reason was highly dramatic also; it just didn't seem justified to me especially since I had to wait the entire book to get it. There at least should have been some blackmail, barrenness, or deathly disease thrown in there!
Juliet was a great strong woman character but her actions when she was 18 really dimmed the character for me. And yes I know kids do stupid immature things but for some reason in this story I couldn't accept it. Ross was definitely "the man" in the story, being able to adapt and adjust to any situation. He was almost too perfect though. Once again as with Juliet something just didn't mesh right with me and Ross.
At times I felt this story was to long, but I honestly don't know what parts could have been cut out. Like I said before I wish Ross and Juliet's relationship would have progressed faster. I'm not sure I would categorize this story as romance, but as an adventure with romance being secondary. It was a highly fascinating read, I learned a lot. If you want a romance read I would say this book isn't for you, but if you like Indiana Jones, want to learn about Asian/Southwest Asia (Middle East to Americans) cultures this is definitely a book you'll want to pick up. Even though this book is second in a series it is not necessary to read the first one to understand this one.

Next to be read: "Beauty and the Spy" #2 in Holt Sisters Trilogy by Julie Anne Long. Yes, I am starting a new series, sigh I just can't seem to help myself. But after I finish this one I am going to go back to at least one series I started and try to finish it dammit!

Back from Vegas, aka Pens fan capital of the world...

I'm back! It was a really awesome vacation and I got to go see some Vegas shows. I saw: Mystere-Cirque du Soleil
O-Cirque du Soleil
Thunder from Down Under
X- Burlesque
Great shows, I definitely recommend Mystere. Mystere is only $81 per ticket compared to $170 for O and I honestly thought Mystere was more entertaining. O was visually stunning but Mystere just had something more that I liked. I was a little confused about the ending though where the giant inflatable snail is revealed. The bf and I were like what the fuck? If there was a storyline I was unaware of it, I think it was just French. I looked up online what the snail meant and apparently it was to represent the life cycle, sure.
I highly, highly recommend Thunder from Down Under for the ladies. Wowza those men are damn fine. They got pretty dirty too! My favorite was the firemen skit and the grand finale w/ cowboy wear. Very nice. I don't think I can even do it justice to describe it. If you are a woman go see this show, it's must. I know when I hear certain songs now I will be thinking of six and twelve pack musclely bodies gyrating in front of me.
X- Burlesque was a pretty cool show to. It got a little awkward at times, we were seated in the front, when a topless thonged woman was basically dancing in my lap. The bf seemed to enjoy it though, go figure right? :) Also the girl on girl action didn't really do anything for me, but holy cow those girls can dance. The last girl to do her skit was amazing I am highly jealous of her body.

Onto the horrible part of the trip...
I watched game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in the ESPN Zone, very cool place. I was however SURROUNDED by Pens fans. It sucked when the Wings lost but I just kept saying gm7 at the Joe, gm7 at the Joe.
Game 7 I watched in the Sportsbook part of the Flamingo. I put a bet down on the Wings to win straight up. I bet $40 to win $18.15, I know sucky but I thought I would have a nice little souvenir ticket to remember the Wings winning the Cup in 09. Gm 7 I was also SURROUNDED by Pens fans. There were 4 or 5 other Wings fans there, compared to 20 or 30 Pens fans. To say the least the whole game sucked. The Wings never looked like they were playing to their potential. When the gm was over I had this drunken slob of a human being standing over me saying over and over "I hate the Wings. I just hate them" I am sitting trying not to sob uncontrollably and wanted to stab this individual in the neck. When I was able to speak I was like "yeah people always hate greatness, how many cups do the Pens now and how many do the Wings have?" Not great comebacks but like I said I was trying not to lose it completely. I mean this choad even said he hated Nicklas Lidstrom. What the fuck who hates Lidstrom?!? It's like hating vanilla. Anyway a couple tears fell when they brought the cup out, but I didn't let any Pens fans see!!!! I left before Crosby lifted the cup, couldn't do that to myself. Even as I type this I can't believe the Wings lost. It hurts and will probably take more time to learn to live with the pain. Not get over because losing the cup is something you never get over. Just glad I am not Marion Hossa...

Vegas was awesome but I am glad to be back home and ready to get back into the groove of things again. I see I have about 130 emails to go through! Should be fun :)

Happy reading!!!

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"Not a savage—a barbarian. Savages know nothing of civilization. We barbarians know what civilization is, though we may have a low opinion of it." Peregrine's tone was distinctly ironic.

Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney

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If he chose, he could help this girl, but what was the point of saving one little whore? It would make no difference to that vast, endless, tragic horde of broken children.
But as Jenny stared at him with great stark eyes, he knew that it would make a difference to her."

Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney

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But she had never known that a man could want a woman and not take her because he did care. There was something very fragile and precious in the idea, though she didn't really understand it. Maybe someday she would.

Silk and Shadows by Mary Jo Putney

Silk and Shadows

Grade: C

Summary: Cutting a dazzling swath through Victorian society, wealthy and seductive Peregrine weaves a web of desire around Lady St. James, who's pledged to wed Peregrine's enemy. Only the burning power of love can pierce Peregrine's chilling silence about his secret past and hidden purpose, and Sara plunges into a whirlpool of uncertainty with a man who has everything a woman could want--and fear.

Review: Well, hello, definitely lust at first sight by Sara when she meets Peregrine. By the way for some weird reason the name Peregrine is keeping me out of the story somewhat.
So sad when Peregrine meets Jenny Miller in the virgins brothel and she describes what life choices she really has. Just depressing knowing women's lives were really like this and still like this is some parts of the world. Oh man I just kept thinking please, please Peregrine save her. This line made my eyes water: "If he chose, he could help this girl, but what was the point of saving one little whore? It would make no difference to that vast, endless, tragic horde of broken children.
But as Jenny stared at him with great stark eyes, he knew that it would make a difference to her."
For some reason I didn't really feel into the story until the dramatic library scene where Peregrine and Sara are found making out on the sofa. Her fiancée Charles loses his shit and I could almost feel Peregrines satisfaction at delivering a blow to his enemy. I was anxious to read on because I felt like now some stuff was going to go down not only between Peregrine and Charles but Peregrine and Sara.
Even though they had such a small part in the story Jenny and Slade kind of stole the show for me at times. The tough vulnerability of Jenny was written wonderfully, like this line: "But she had never known that a man could want a woman and not take her because he did care. There was something very fragile and precious in the idea, though she didn't really understand it. Maybe someday she would."
I really did enjoy how Peregrine healed Sara's inner scars over her limp. Peregrine made Sara into a woman and it was commendable writing by Putney for the beautiful way she wrote this.
After Peregrines past is revealed (I thought this should have been done earlier) and Sara finally finds out the extent of Peregrines revenge on Charles, she decides to leave him. I thought how fast Sara left Peregrine and the way it was done was very immature. Sara should have stayed around to talk to Peregrine longer. Writing him a note and giving back her wedding ring seemed liked a very hasty decision.
This was quite a tale, but it did not hit a cord with me like so many have before. There are definitely some dark issues Putney deals with in this book and she does a great job. I can see how some people describe this book as beautiful and poignant, but it just didn't reach that level for me. I was never completely immersed into the story. I know a lot of people think the world of this book but for me it was just an "eh" book.


Next to be read: "Silk and Secrets" #2 in Silk Trilogy by Mary Jo Putney