Herland

I'm just excited because someone caught my Herland reference today.

If you are interested in feminist text, I strongly recommend reading both Charlotte Perkins Gilman's Herland and The Yellow Wallpaper.

(Mc)Naught Your Average Romance Writer

I've often wondered what makes romance author Judith McNaught so spectacular. I love her writing, but like any writer, she has flaws, and over time I've grown increasingly curious as to what sets McNaught apart from the rest. She is not the only talented romance writer I've ever read, and yet her work is so...beyond. Beyond description. 

I love reading McNaught in every era- whether it's medieval, Victorian, or contemporary. And that's not something I can say about most writers. 

I recently came across McNaught's 1999 All About Romance interview, and I believe I've finally uncovered what makes Judith McNaught a true artist. 

"And that did have a dramatic effect on my writing. As I began to emerge from my own misery and isolation, I looked around and realized that I wasn't alone in my plight at all. Other women - widows and divorcees - were all around me, everywhere, raising their children, coping, surviving the grief of death and the agony of divorce. I was awed by the amazing courage and relentless fortitude of my own sex in their everyday lives. We are the frame work that supports the people we love; we nurture our young and care for our elderly, we hold down jobs and still run our homes. When the going gets tough, we don't run out on our husbands or our children. We may be exhausted, afraid, and disenchanted, but we never stop trying, never stop caring, and we never stop hoping. My God, I think we are a magnificent sex.

In the years since Michael's death, I've wanted my writing to portray women as we are, and as we can be - loyal, brave, kind, daring. And, most of all, unified in our support of each other."

-Judith McNaught

This is just a small sample of the interview, and I highly recommend reading the entire thing, whether or not you've read McNaught or naught (!). It's incredibly moving, and I really believe it captures a bit of the essence of McNaught.

The Immortal Rules- Julie Kagawa

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Release Date: April 24


Summary
In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.


Review
I was really impressed with The Immortal Rules. Originally I was rather worried that this might be  more typical vampire YA fanfare, but Kagawa's Iron series displayed a level of talent that gave me faith in this new series. Kagawa proved me right. Her latest novel is edgy and original. She presents us with a true dystopian vampire world. While this may have been done before in adult genres, it is very new to the YA genre, successfully combining two YA trend favorites: vampires and dystopian fiction.

Kagawa's world-building is magnificent. Her world has many different layers, a variety of tones, contrasting notes. Layers of humanity, religious tones, and notes of character development. I was truly impressed. While I felt distinct moments of adolescence in the Iron series, the Immortal series is fully developed, delving into complicated subjects.

I was pleased by the Iron series.
But I admire the Immortal series.

The first book closes with a bit of a poignant cliff-hanger but nothing too cruel.

Highly recommended. I look forward to Kagawa's Immortal sequels.

View all my reviews

More Than You Know- Penny Vincenzi (review by Diana)

More Than You Know: A Novel by Penny Vincenzi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Summary
It all comes down to love or money in a harrowing custody battle over a little girl, set against the glossy backdrop of the magazine and advertising worlds in 1960s London.
 
A privileged girl from a privileged class, Eliza has a dazzling career in the magazine world of the 1960s. But when she falls deeply in love with Matt, an edgy working-class boy, she gives up her ritzy, fast-paced lifestyle to get married.
     
By the end of the decade, however, their marriage has suffered a harrowing breakdown, culminating in divorce and a dramatic courtroom custody battle over their little girl. Also at risk is Eliza's gorgeous family home, a pawn in the game, which she can't bear to give up.
     
True to form, Penny Vincenzi introduces a devious cast of characters seemingly plucked from the pages of sixties- and seventies-era magazines, as she deftly maneuvers between the glamorous, moneyed worlds of fashion and advertising, and a heart-wrenching custody battle going on in the courtroom where the social mores of the time are on full display.

Review
This was my first Penny Vincenzi novel, and I've found reading it to be a rewarding, if not pleasant, experience.

More Than You Know follows two people from different worlds as they stumble into love and later crash out of it. It elegantly shows how a marriage with so much love can go so wrong. This is the first time I've read an up-close portrayal of a divorce and found it successful in it's representation. The pain in this novel is vivid and intense. Readers will come to understand how two people, neither of them 'bad', can be so bad together.

However, I will warn forward-thinking females that Matt, our male protagonist, will drive you mad with his neanderthal values towards the role of women in a marriage. His antiquated views, however, were not uncommon in the setting of this novel: 1960s London.

Which brings me to my final point. I felt Vincenzi could have done so much more with this setting. There is so much opportunity for literary art in such a memorable setting. I felt Vincenzi's setting did not live up to its potential.

Overall, More Than You Know is a novel whose strength lies in its characters and their dynamics. This is much more than a fluffy beach read. This is a novel for a summer storm.

View all my reviews

Interesting Article on HBO's New Show 'Girls'

I know I don't normally do TV, but this article definitely brings up some interesting points on how women are treated differently in the television industry.

In My Mailbox (3)

Release Date: April 24

In this irresistible memoir, the New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Pulitzer Prize Anna Quindlen writes about looking back and ahead—and celebrating it all—as she considers marriage, girlfriends, our mothers, faith, loss, all the stuff in our closets, and more.


From childhood memories to manic motherhood to middle age, Quindlen uses the events of her own life to illuminate our own. Along with the downsides of age, she says, can come wisdom, a perspective on life that makes it satisfying and even joyful. Candid, funny, moving, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake is filled with the sharp insights and revealing observations that have long confirmed Quindlen’s status as America’s laureate of real life.

It’s hate at first sight.

Jasmine Farah and Rocco di Angelo are competing for the same job in a dusty office in a secret Federal agency run by the mysterious, menacing Jefferson Davis Crawley – “Creepy” Crawley, as he’s known.

When Crawley is murdered in front of them after their first day on the job, Jasmine and Rocco are left to figure out who killed their new boss, and exactly what a job in the so-called Department of Magic entails. And magic, it seems, is nothing like it seems in children’s books; it’s dark and bloody and sexual.

What follows is a nightmare gallop through a world of ghosts, spooks, vampires, demons, and the minions of South American and Voodoo gods hell-bent on destroying the world and subjugating all America in the year 2012.

Only Rock and Jazz, in the company of a ragtag team of urhobos – homeless guardians of the District of Columbia– can prevent it by resurrecting “Goddess America” in a mystical ceremony on the Fourth of July, as the story reaches its bittersweet and unforeseen climax.

Release Date: April 24

After her father loses the family fortune in an insider-trading scheme, single mom Parker Welles is faced with some hard decisions. First order of business: go to Gideon's Cove, Maine, to sell the only thing she now owns—a decrepit house in need of some serious flipping. When her father's wingman, James Cahill, asks to go with her, she's not thrilled -- …even if he is fairly gorgeous and knows his way around a toolbox. 

Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist's assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn't the glib lawyer she always thought he was. And maybe the house isn't the only thing that needs a little TLC….

Paula Brandon’s epic and captivating trilogy continues as magic and mystery wreak havoc with the very fabric of existence.
 
Reality is wavering. Soon its delicate balance will shift and an ancient force will return to overwhelm the Veiled Isles. Now those with the arcane talent forge an uneasy alliance in hopes that their combined abilities are enough to avert an eerie catastrophe. Yet it may be too late. The otherworldly change has begun. The streets of the city are rife with chaos, plague, and revolt. And it is here that Jianna Belandor, once a pampered daughter of privilege, returns to face new challenges.
 
The dead walk the streets. The docile amphibian slaves of humanity have taken up arms. Jianna’s home lies in ruins. Her only happiness resides in her growing attraction to Falaste Rione, a brilliant nomadic physician whose compassion and courage have led him to take dangerous risks. Jianna, stronger and more powerful than she knows, has a role to play in the unfolding destiny of her world. But a wave of madness is sweeping across the land, and time is running out—even for magic.

THREE BOOK LISA KLEYPAS GIVEAWAY: FREE

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Teaser Tuesday (3)

This week's is late, but I picked something really sultry to make up for it...

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught

"And afterward, he took her to his bed and made love to her with a passionate intensity so hot it should have forged them into one body and one soul. Then he held her in his arms against his heart throughout the night."

Once and Always- Judith McNaught

Once and Always by Judith McNaught
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Description/Summary

Across the vast ocean sailed Victoria Seaton, a free-spirited American beauty left suddenly orphaned and alone. Eager to claim her long-lost heritage, she was amazed at the formal elegance of Wakefield, the sumptuous English estate of her distant cousin...the notorious Lord Jason Fielding. Sought after at plays, operas, and balls by London's most fashionable ladies, Jason remained a mystery to Victoria. Bewildered by his arrogant demeanor, yet drawn to his panther-like grace, she came to sense the searingly painful memories that smoldered in the depths of his jade-green eyes.

Unable to resist her spitfire charm, Jason gathered her at last into his powerful arms, ravishing her lips with his kisses, arousing in her a sweet, insistent hunger. Wed in desire, they were enfolded in a fierce, consuming joy, free at last from the past's cruel grasp. Then, in a moment of blinding anguish, Victoria discovered the shocking treachery that lay at the heart of their love...a love she had dreamed would triumph...Once And Always.


Review
This is a tricky book to review. I love McNaught's writing. It's elegant and joyful but also clean and quick where need be. Her romance novels feel like so much more than most books from this genre. They have true substance; they have true stories. The plot is still propelled by romance, but there are intricacies that make McNaught's writing incredibly rich.


Once and Always is no different in this aspect. But as with a few other McNaught novels, I had trouble with some physical violations that were deemed permissible in this book. Rape will never be pretty. But I have seen it dealt with deftly, and carefully, in other novels. In ways that say, "Yes, this character is flawed. You don't have to like him. But rape is a reality, and this book recognizes that it is wrong." This was not done in Once and Always. There even seemed to be some victim-blaming. It just wasn't done well.


And it's a shame. Because, in many other ways, Once and Always is a beautiful novel.


I also felt like there were some undertones of racism in this novel. Though that may be a murkier subject since the racism was directed towards Indians in a Victorian period setting. So racism was a definite reality. And this book didn't seem to be condoning racism. But it didn't really seem to condemn it either.


We also need to remember that this was written in 1990- over 20 years ago. I wasn't born then, so I can't really say much regarding cultural context. Perhaps anti-racism and anti-misogynistic sentiment wasn't as strong then.


We just need to remember that we've moved beyond that. And we don't want to go back. So as well-written as this book is, be aware of the flaws it contains.


If you've read McNaught before, what are your thoughts?


View all my reviews

Deceived by the Others by Jess Haines

Summary
They're here, and they're real. . .werewolves, vampires, mages, and other creatures of the night. For New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest, taking care of Others business started out as a way to stay solvent. But now business is getting very, very complicated. . . 

Shiarra's relationship with sexy werewolf Chaz may be somewhat unconventional. Still, after a few bumps, Shia is finally ready to get serious. That means meeting family—or in this case, bringing Chaz's entire werewolf pack along for a rollicking full-moon weekend in the Catskills. 

Soon after they arrive, threatening notes appear, warning Chaz to go home. Then their cabin is ransacked. Shia starts digging to find out whether it's the work of upstart teenaged werewolves or something more sinister. Yet as rumors about her vampire connections arouse the pack's hostility, Shia has to contend with other dangers. Not just from an adversary about to make his fatal intentions known, but from a threat that's even closer than she knows. . .


Review
I suppose the first thing I can say is that I picked up the first book of Jess Haines' series yesterday. And right now I'm freaking out because the fourth book doesn't come out until July. I'm having a total spazz meltdown. And I think that sentence proves it.

Because I am incapable of writing a review without a little context, I want to mention that I really enjoyed Jess Haines' first book in this series, Hunted by the Others. It stood apart from all the urban fantasy I've read recently. Lately, I've enjoyed a number of urban fantasy series, but they all seemed a little off. One descended into romantic drivel in book 3. Another lagged in book 2. Some felt rushed. Others had dialogue issues. 

So while I really enjoyed Haines' book 1, I had some reservations about book 2. But book 2 was a strong sequel where my only complaint was some character discontinuity. As in I felt that a character didn't stay true to the author's original portrayal. 

Well. Book 3 put everything into perspective and made Haines a contender for my favorite authors list. Absolutely incredible! I had some doubts at times, I will admit. The earlier 'villains' in book 3 are non-traditional to say in the least. But the way Haines used them to weave two plots together was absolute genius. 

I really can't say much more without a generous helping of spoilery, so I'm going to wrap up this review. 

Deceived by Others is a brilliant show stopper in a solid urban fantasy series brimming with endless potential. I look forward to seeing what Haines does with this series in the future.

Quotes for Today (2)

Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy.

Rita Mae Brown

-Margaret Thatcher (Random)


The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four people is suffering from a mental illness. Look at your 3 best friends. If they're ok, then it's you.
― Rita Mae Brown (Random)


In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways.
-Edith Wharton (QOTD)


It's easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.
-Henry Ward Beecher (Brainyquote)

Quotes for Today (1)

No one ever told me I was pretty when I was a little girl. All little girls should be told they're pretty, even if they aren't.
-Marilyn Monroe (Random)


Hollywood always wanted me to be pretty, but I fought for realism.
- Bette Davis (QOTD)


Tell me who admires and loves you, and I will tell you who you are.
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery (Brainyquote)


Despite my ghoulish reputation, I really have the heart of a small boy. I keep it in a jar on my desk.
- Robert Bloch (Goodreads)

In My Mailbox (2)

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen
I don't do dangerious,  Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha-that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back. Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising...

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future. Henry's first wife, Persephone.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. 

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters. 

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad. 

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike. 

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

Hunted by Others by Jess Haines
(I was actually really pleased with this book. Positive review forthcoming. Edit: Promptly read entire existing series, so the review will actually be of the most recent book in the series.)
Shiarra Waynest's detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm - if it doesn't kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York's most powerful vampires. As soon as Shiarra meets sexy, mesmerizing vamp Alec Royce, she knows her assignment is even more complicated than she thought. With a clandestine anti-Other group trying to recruit her, and magi being eliminated, Shiarra needs back-up and enlists her ex-boyfriend - a werewolf whose non-furry form is disarmingly appealing - and a nerdy mage with surprising talents. But it may not be enough. In a city where the undead roam, magic rules, and even the Others aren't always what they seem, Shiarra has just become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil - whether she likes it or not...

Teaser Tuesday (2)

It's barely Tuesday, but I've made it!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following:
Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

"I looked away, refusing to let her see my eyes fill with tears. Losing would mean destruction beyond anything I could comprehend."