Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
This was another author that I had a hard time just picking one. I've read a few of Linda Howard's books and I have to say I enjoyed them all. Originally I put Open Season but then changed it to Mr. Perfect instead.
The reason I decided on including Mr. Perfect on this list was because the story is based in Michigan, although it was set in the Detroit area instead of west Michigan. The basic plot of these book is Jaine and 3 of her friends from work have the weekly girls dinner and after a few cocktails decided to create a list of what they think their Mr. Perfect should be. The first 8 or so are tame, like 'must be faithful' and put the toilet seat down, but then it starts to get more risque with comments about package size. Jaine is also struggling with her neighbor who she believes is a drug deal because of the hours he comes home, his car, and he's grouchy temperament. When the list gets out the 4 women now have a lot of unwanted attention from their co-workers and media. When one of the ladies of the list is murdered suddenly Jaine needs help from the grouchy next-door-neighbor, who is actually a cop, Sam Donovan. Of course romance blossoms.
One of the things that I love about this story is the character Jaine's smart-ass personality. She is one of the characters who tends to act fast and think later. But that I think what made that character stand out to me. Now while most of Howard's male characters (from the books that I've read) tend to kind of be along the same line: muscular, attractive but not perfect, either in law-enforcement or former military and they tend to save the day. I do like how Howard always makes it about the women in the story. Even if she has off-shot story lines she does make it about the main character.
Another thing that stuck in my head in this story was that she's cat sitting for her mom, and car sitting for her dad while they are on a European vacation. The cat turns out to be a little psychotic and the car is one of the original Ford Cobra's design because her dad was one of the original engineers. And with a murderer after her she's paranoid about the cat and car. Linda Howard had all of these little plots in the story but they all centered around Jaine so it was never hard to follow.
This is definitely one of those stories that I'm constantly picking up to re-read either the whole story or just my favorite parts when I'm not in the mood to start a new book.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Bakers Dozen 5
The Ghost by Danielle Steel
This novel has made my list because I think this was one of the first romance authors that I had ever read. This happened during my search for different authors time of life after I had read my 30th V.C. Andrews book. Now I'm not the biggest fan of Danielle Steel and I honestly can count on one hand how many of her books that I have read, but there was a couple that has stuck with me through the years and The Ghost is my ultimate favorite book by Steel. I also believe this is one that kind of kick started my love for historical romances also (I should go back and read my other baker dozens because I feel I'm repeating myself, but as I've said this list is mostly about my firsts.)
This book to me was unique because I actually had two different story lines that ended up tying together. The story starts off with Charlie, separated from his wife and going through a divorce, rents a house in New England. In the house he feels the presence of another and finds out that it is the spirit of Sarah who lived and died (of old age) in the house. He finds her diaries and starts to read them. Her story starts in England, in the late 1700's, as a young wife of a aristocrat who is abusive and she suffered numerous miscarriages. She flees to America and there meets and falls in love with a French noble man who was adopted by the Native Americans and became a liaison between the tribes and European settlers. They fall in love and get married (by a Native American ceremony since she is still legally married to husband in England) and start a family. Her story helps heal Charlie and helps him find love with a divorced women of a French celebrity who publicly shamed her by flaunting his mistress. Sarah's story and journey help give Charlie and the women he is pursuing the strength that they need to accept their love for each other.
One of the strongest things that I remember about this story was the non-graphic love scenes. They were written so that you know that the couple was being intimate but not so graphic that as a 15 year-old would have been exposed to too much. I loved the tie of the two different love stories and it wasn't hard to follow. Steel wrote each time line clearly so I was never thrown off.
Even though this isn't one of the books that I constantly pick up (because it was borrowed) I still remember little details of this book and I read it over 10 years ago. Crazy right?
This novel has made my list because I think this was one of the first romance authors that I had ever read. This happened during my search for different authors time of life after I had read my 30th V.C. Andrews book. Now I'm not the biggest fan of Danielle Steel and I honestly can count on one hand how many of her books that I have read, but there was a couple that has stuck with me through the years and The Ghost is my ultimate favorite book by Steel. I also believe this is one that kind of kick started my love for historical romances also (I should go back and read my other baker dozens because I feel I'm repeating myself, but as I've said this list is mostly about my firsts.)
This book to me was unique because I actually had two different story lines that ended up tying together. The story starts off with Charlie, separated from his wife and going through a divorce, rents a house in New England. In the house he feels the presence of another and finds out that it is the spirit of Sarah who lived and died (of old age) in the house. He finds her diaries and starts to read them. Her story starts in England, in the late 1700's, as a young wife of a aristocrat who is abusive and she suffered numerous miscarriages. She flees to America and there meets and falls in love with a French noble man who was adopted by the Native Americans and became a liaison between the tribes and European settlers. They fall in love and get married (by a Native American ceremony since she is still legally married to husband in England) and start a family. Her story helps heal Charlie and helps him find love with a divorced women of a French celebrity who publicly shamed her by flaunting his mistress. Sarah's story and journey help give Charlie and the women he is pursuing the strength that they need to accept their love for each other.
One of the strongest things that I remember about this story was the non-graphic love scenes. They were written so that you know that the couple was being intimate but not so graphic that as a 15 year-old would have been exposed to too much. I loved the tie of the two different love stories and it wasn't hard to follow. Steel wrote each time line clearly so I was never thrown off.
Even though this isn't one of the books that I constantly pick up (because it was borrowed) I still remember little details of this book and I read it over 10 years ago. Crazy right?
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Bakers Dozen 4
I know, I know, I've been lacking in posts. A lot has happened in the last two weeks and I honestly haven't picked up a book since I read Alterant. So here's another instalment for my Bakers Dozen Series! Enjoy!
When the Wind Blows by James Patterson
This is one of those books that has stuck with me because it was different. This was one of many books that my former boss at the book store, Kristi, told me that I had to read. If you have read any of Patterson's previous book (i.e. Alex Cross novels) this one is different and dabbles in the science fiction realm.
The plot of this story is where the lead character Frannie Devin O'Neill and FBI agent Kit Harrison, then come into contact with Max a girl who was taken from birth by her parents (who believe that she was stillborn) because of her special abilities. The scientist performed experiments on her and several others when they were in the womb by fusing their DNA with bird DNA hoping to extend the life of people. The children are at this school and are treated very cruelly, being prepped to be sold to major corporations. Max escapes and recruits the help of Frannie and Kit.
The book is packed with action and many plot twists. The story is easy to follow though so there is no need to worry about getting lost. This was one of the books that kind of renewed my interested in reading, I had hit a dry spot and found myself constantly reading the same genre so this book was a breath of fresh air for me. I had read a few of James Patterson's books prior to this so I was familiar to his writing style.
This book is one of my favorites because I was drawn in by the unique plot, while I'm sure there are other books that are like this out there, this was the first one that I read so it will always have a place in my head.
When the Wind Blows by James Patterson
This is one of those books that has stuck with me because it was different. This was one of many books that my former boss at the book store, Kristi, told me that I had to read. If you have read any of Patterson's previous book (i.e. Alex Cross novels) this one is different and dabbles in the science fiction realm.
The plot of this story is where the lead character Frannie Devin O'Neill and FBI agent Kit Harrison, then come into contact with Max a girl who was taken from birth by her parents (who believe that she was stillborn) because of her special abilities. The scientist performed experiments on her and several others when they were in the womb by fusing their DNA with bird DNA hoping to extend the life of people. The children are at this school and are treated very cruelly, being prepped to be sold to major corporations. Max escapes and recruits the help of Frannie and Kit.
The book is packed with action and many plot twists. The story is easy to follow though so there is no need to worry about getting lost. This was one of the books that kind of renewed my interested in reading, I had hit a dry spot and found myself constantly reading the same genre so this book was a breath of fresh air for me. I had read a few of James Patterson's books prior to this so I was familiar to his writing style.
This book is one of my favorites because I was drawn in by the unique plot, while I'm sure there are other books that are like this out there, this was the first one that I read so it will always have a place in my head.
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