Not quite as swoony as [b:My Fair Concubine|13263350|My Fair Concubine (Tang Dynasty, #3)|Jeannie Lin|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1330643840s/13263350.jpg|18465003], but still a winner.
Hmm.... I think a B for narration, and a B- for story. The writing was beautiful and memorable, and I loved how Mariella's character evolved. However, the pacing was inconsistent and some of the childhood flashbacks during the middle of a war scene were pretty jarring while listening - but I might not have noticed either of these issues reading it in print.
The Shadow of the Wind
Wow. Hilarious, horrifying, heart-wrenching and hundreds of other adjectives I can't even remember right now because I'm still recovering.
Grade: C for story, B for narrationWhat I noticed most while listening - that I might have overlooked while reading - were the number of times Elizabeth said "I don't know" or repeated a keyword from the preceding line of dialogue. If it wasn't for the narrator, I probably would have DNFd this.Full review coming soon....
Grade: BApparently, she had a thing for the whole menacing gunslinger look.Yeah, I might have that same “thing” too after reading this book. Considering it’s a romance between an ex-con and a brothel madam’s daughter, it was a bit lacking in actual conflict - but the surprisingly steamy chemistry kept me reading.[NOTE: I read an advance review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.]
Grade: BUnfortunately, she thought she stood a better chance of gaining his attention by dipping herself in whale oil and lighting herself on fire.The romance seemed like a bit of an afterthought, but this book worked great for me as a “governess/master” story – I loved the “natural philosophy” science theme and the suitably creepy, but not over-the-top, villainous villains.[NOTE: I read an advance review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.]
Grade: BHe rose and looked down into her eyes. “Sadie….”“Yes?”Her name was a gruff plea from his constricted throat – her answer a barely heard whisper. Time was lost in his need to comfort her, to protect her, to love her forever. He sucked in a breath, fighting his heart with every bit of strength he possessed and hating himself for winning the battle. “I’ll see you safe to the house.”I struggled with Sadie’s overwrought, baseless accusations in the first third of the book, but as Cole slowly wins her over, we get the backstory details we need to root for their HEA.[NOTE: I read an advance review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.]
Grade: C-Did she just call him a fusspot? And did she really expect the two of them to walk through town with mud-plastered backsides? He wasn’t sure which offense he found the more egregious.The hero describes the heroine as “relentlessly cheerful.” She was. I’m surprised I actually finished it.[NOTE: I read an advance review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.]
Grade: DNFHe continued to arouse her with his fingers, while agitating her clitoris with his thumb.I made it halfway, and didn’t really care what happened to anyone, most likely because of the intrusive use of cliches and Regency slang.I also didn’t have much patience for the flighty ingenue heroine or the supposedly brilliant barrister who seemed rather clueless about his profession, and I think the quote above speaks for itself regarding the cringe-inducing sexytimes.NOTE: I read a review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
