Book Review: Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas

Introduction

I received this book via goodreads.com as a "first read" in order to give this book an honest review. If you would like to send me a book to review feel free to contact me through this email, linked to my blog.

I haven't read to many Historical Romances before, for no reason really it's just I never got around to "exploring" this sub-genre.

My first impression, was well I wasn't sure I was going to like it but as I began reading this book I was completely draw into the world that Sherry Thomas created as well as the character too.

Summary

This story takes between the years 1888 to 1896 (I believe those are the correct dates).

The main character's name is Millie she is the daughter of wealthy man who's family made their money in canned goods. Millie had been trained her whole life to be a "proper wife" her family hoped that she would be able to marry someone who had a "title" meaning from aristocratic blood. Millie is depicted as a very agreeable, not particularly "attractive" and a bit plain. She doesn't really have a "rebellious" bone in her body and is the type of women who has always done what she is told.

Millie marries, Fitz whom she falls for instantly when she first meets him. Fitz all though comes from an aristocratic background, his family is no longer wealthy so he must marry into "money" in order to maintain his estate which he inherited from his distant relative. Alas, Fitz is already in love with any other women named Isabelle whom he cannot marry because her family is not incredibly wealthy.

The story flashes back in between the "present" time of the story and different moments in the marriage of Millie and Fitz.

In the beginning of their marriage Millie makes a pact with Fitz that they would have a "contract" marriage and all though they would be "technically" married either one of them would sleep together.

* spoiler*

They grow close and become "friends" within their marriage and Fitz begins to grow love and respect for her throughout the years. He doesn't think of her as so "bland".

Years after they are "comfortably" married Isabelle comes back into the picture. So Fitz decides to meet up with Isabelle and have an affair with her while still married to Millie. As promised he plans to give Millie an "heir" they will try for six months for her to get pregnant and then pretty much plans to leave her.

*End Spoiler*

In the book there is also brief mention of Fitz two sisters: Helena who is unmarried and is conducting an affair with her married first cousin I believe (Fitz best friend Hastings is in love with her "secretly") and  Venetia whom is already married (I believe her story was told in the previous book which I did not read).

I won't get really into their "story lines" in this review.

Review

 I would say the overall I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I really enjoyed this book.

I have to hand it to Sherry Thomas, I actually while reading this book I found that English is in fact not her first language and I never would I have guessed that!

She created such fluent imagery with her words, I felt as though I was actually there! To be at least it takes talent to write "historical" novels because you want to be true the dialect of the time but still make in understandable to the "average reader" and I feel like she did just that.

Reading some other reviews about this book, I saw certain people "complain" that Millie was "boring and anti-feminist" that she teaches women to "do exactly what you are told and everything will work out". I can't say that I necessarily agree with that statement. I think that Sherry Thomas, made Millie historically accurate, to the time she lived in. I think it would be silly to have a women who has a "20th century attitude" in that time period. Wealthy women back then were taught to be "timid" and very rule "abiding". I don't think Millie was at all a "push over" instead she was intelligent and found different ways than simply being "forward" about everything, she worked around the fact she was a woman and still managed to do the things she wanted.

I really don't have to many complaints about this book, Fitz obviously annoyed me at times because he was stupidly obsessed with Isabelle for most of the book and didn't always treat Millie very nicely. Still, she managed to treat him kindly and even he was surprised about the fact that she always almost always "composed" and took care of him even when he didn't deserve it.

I think any reader ( myself included) probably felt awful for Millie. I mean come on, she just wanted him to notice her the entire time!

I didn't always "enjoy" the flashbacks in the story sometimes I just felt to me that they were "stalling" the story and not getting to the good part!

There was no sex until page 226! I guess they just wanted to build up the story line more? I don't know it was a bit frustrating at times.

Over all, I thought this book was an excellent read and I enjoyed it very much. If you are into historical romance, I would recommend that you check out Sherry Thomas's books, she is a very good writer.

Thanks for guys for checking out my blog,

Kylia aka Alaska Book Girl!

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3451295-kylia

Book Review: A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court

First as always let me state that I do not own the right to any of the image/s used in my blog. They were provided by Google search.



Introduction
I came across this book at my local used bookstore. I thought the title sounded catchy and as I read the back and flipped through the pages; the book seemed utterly entertaining!

A "prissy" "fashionista" or "diva" stuck in Medieval times without starbucks, designer high heels and especially no in door plumbing!

Really, my first impression was that it would be just a really fun read! This book defiantly exceeded my expectations!

Summary
I don't think I will do a "super" long summary of this book because really I just want to get the good part the review! (Plus I don't want to spoil it completely for all of you guys and dolls!)

As, I said above the main character Katherine or "Kat" is a twenty-nine year old woman from New York. I am not exactly what year this book "takes place" but from the pop culture references in the book, I think around 2005. Kat works at a fashion magazine and some what dissatisfied with her job because, her boss is constantly making her do "filler" assignments instead of ones she truly wants to do.

While covering a Medieval, "Resonance Fair" she just so happens to stumble into a tent were a "gypsy" women (whom she deeply offends) puts a curse on her and sends her back into time.

Right off the bats see meets and falls of The Knight Lancelot, (There is a almost instant attraction there) she also meets Guinevere and becomes close friends with her and some what acquaintance with King Arthur.

Now, I won't spoil anything for you guys but a few other characters which are in the story are: Merlin, and Morgan (King Authors Sister), The Lady of the Lake, and a few other characters as well.

Now, like I said I really don't want give to much away because I really encourage all of you to read this book!!!! :)

Review

I was so pleasantly surprised with this book! I think this is probably one the first books that I've read in a while that I really enjoyed and just "captured" putting me into another world.

With this book I think through out the story, it just keeps getting better and better! At first, when I was reading it I did find Kat a bit annoying. Well, I am I can understand she was thrown into another point in time. One thing that was really funny was when she would talk in normal "twenty first century" lingo. She would say things like "dude" and " that's cool" and no one would have any idea what she was saying.

More than anything I love, love the relationship between Kat and Lancelot. I mean who wouldn't want an ultra romantic guy who: literally speak poetically about how beautiful you are and how much he loves you, and also, is protective of you and saves you from being kidnapped and other awful things!

Also, the sex scenes yummy! ha ha What I liked about the sex scenes is they weren't over detailed, it left some parts to the imagination. The way the Author used imaginary you could really feel the passion between the two characters.

I really enjoyed this book, I really hope there is a sequel! (I haven't checked yet) If not I think I will check out some more of this Authors books. I really am sad to say this book is over because I enjoyed it so much.


Kylia aka Alaskan Book Girl

Novella/Short Story Review: Letters of Intent part one & two

First as always let me state that I do not own the right to any of the image/s used in my blog. They were provided by Google search.

I received this book on Goodreads.com from "First Reads", in order to review this book. 



Introduction
This "book" or more accurately at least to my definition a "Novella" is about 35 to 40 pages long. I have read quite a few "free kindle reads" similar to this in the past and I haven't done my research as to if this story is available yet from nook or kindle readers quite yet.

It was funny really when I receive this in the mail, I was so surprised how small it is! ha These short "novellas" just look so much different on "e-read " forum.

Review
I would say my over all rating of this book is 3 1/2 out of 5, which if any of you know me well that is usually my "average" rating of a book. I'll be honest I wasn't very "captured" or "taken" by this book  but being that said I don't think it is a "bad" book.

Like I have mentioned before I have read books similar to this before, in my opinion I do like "short reads" like this. Especially, if you just want something quick to read in one night or you just want a "casual escape". Compared to other "Novellas" that I have read, it just didn't strike my fancy.

I didn't feel that I could really relate to the main character "Abigail" very much. Most of her personality to me isn't very much revealed in the story.

Now, I know when you read "erotica" most people aren't looking for "detailed character background" but hey I am just saying that, even when I read these kind of "cheesy" book (which I will admit I like my occasional erotica and quirky romances) I want to know a more about the character! Other wise who cares what happens? If I don't like the character why would I want to read it? Well obviously for the sex scene!!! ha ha :p

Speaking of sex scenes, that's mostly what this book is sex scene.This book doesn't really "beat around the bush" so if you want a book that "gets right to" by that I mean doesn't go into much detail and "bam" there's a description of penis, then you will like this. :p

I always feel a bit "odd" reviewing this kinds of book, though I do enjoy reading them from time to time. I am not really sure why. Maybe I am secretly bashful because of the sex? who knows? Hey that's me! haha

Over all, not a bad read very fast paced and keeps you turning the pages with anticipation. Like I said my only really criticism with this book is that we really "didn't get to know the characters very well" but hey like I said I know some readers prefer to just get to the "good stuff". I know I can be overly "cheesy" and a big "romantic" so I prefer books with more "winning and dinning" then just "screwing" but hey we are talking about erotica here.

If you want a fast pasted "office romance" with lots of sex and not much  detailed characters or  to thick story line then this book is for you! It was an entertaining enough read, and I might check out the two authors other work in the future.



Thank you, to the publisher, goodreads and to who ever else actually sent me this book! It really is a dream to get books in the mail to review them! I hope to receive many, many more in the future!


Kylia aka Alaskan Book Girl