28. Gone to far, Suzanne Brockmann
Sam and Alyssa's book. What else is there to say? lovelovelove
Also, look up Tuskegee Airman if you don't all ready know about them. Very cool.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
she's just sooo good
27. Over the edge, Suzanne Brockmann
Read it a million times all ready, but it still makes me tear up. She's so awesome. Ridiculously so.
Read it a million times all ready, but it still makes me tear up. She's so awesome. Ridiculously so.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
and i bow down to the endless genius that is
25. Hot pursuit, Suzanne Brockmann
Suzanne Brockman is amazing. She is inspirational as a writer, someone I look up to and think -- I will never be able to write like her. But want to desperately anyway. She is hands down with out a doubt my favorite author. Easy.
She never fails to deliver. Hot pursuit was a little unusual in that it was sort of an Alyssa and Sam novel. But they all ready had their novel about 6 or 7 books back. There wasn't really a new central relationship. Which was fine. It paid more attention to the thriller aspect, which was also fine.
I seriously can't even describe how good she is. She has this series called the Troubleshooters Inc., series. This was her 15th. (Apparently the next one is going to be her last for a while and I want to weep.) She's created this world of first Navy SEALs and then the best personal security force in the country. And her characterization is ridiculous. She weaves hundreds of people in and out of this series (She usually has a main relationship; but she always has multiple secondary storylines going on -- she also used to always have in some way a plotline from WWII through various means -- a memoir the main character is writing, flash backs from another's grandparents etc. -- but those have faded in the last couple and I kind of miss them.) Anyway every single charachter she brings in is well-developed and unique from every other character she's written. Yes they're mostly alpha males (I mean, they're Navy SEALs after all -- they take down pirates for god's sake! lol) but they're different. And I know I bash on Nora a bit (I really do like a lot of her books -- she even wrote one of my favorites) but she could really take lessons from Ms. Suz here.
The relationships she creates are real and powerful. She has a beautiful way of writing something to feel honest. Some writers gloss over real life, but her books feature a world that is honest (even though her situations may be fantastical -- in Kazbekestan waiting out hijackers, in an Indonesian jungle on the run from drug lords) She doesn't shy away from real life situations; people don't like each other sometimes, people make huge mistakes, people are alcoholics that relapse and sleep with their lover's ex-boyfriends. And these are her main characters. She tackles issues not normally addressed in your "typical" romance novel. Alcoholism is a major theme. One that touches the lives of many of her characters. Blatant homophobia (her son in life is gay, and it's an important topic for her -- one novel in her series the main couple is a gay couple -- which is groundbreaking for the romance genre), sexism in a mainly male-dominated job, making inter-racial relationships work in a still racist world. One of her main characters was gang-raped. Another had a situation like the "gates" thing happen to him (long before the gates thing happend). Every book has various themes and points she makes -- they have depth that makes you want to go rally for something. Usually it takes multiple books for characters to find "their happy endings" -- and along with way everything usually becomes a CLUSTERFUCK. Two characters you thought she was going to put together for like 5 novels, ended up with different people because that's where their story arcs took them. I think Sam and Alyssa (probably the favorite couple of the whole series -- and yes there are actually polls out there dealing with that question) took about 10 books to get their happy ending.
Apart from characterization, which clearly she rules at, she is a wonderful storyteller. Every novel is a page turner. All her plotlines -- man, insane. I don't even know how she comes up with them. She's genius, clearly.
Some other things: SHE MENTIONS BINGHAMTON IN THE BOOK. holy shit, I had to stop reading for like five minutes, because what are the odds?!?!?! (one of her characters went to SUNY Binghamton.) Also, she cracked me up because in the begining her heroine (sort of) gets "sistered." Now before last year I wouldn't have known what that was, but as it happened to me recently I can sympathize -- and just made me laugh so hard how relatable she makes her characters. And just to send this out there as a cosmic vibe: guys do not, under any circumstances tell a girl she reminds you of your sister ... this is not flattering in anyway. Even if she's not interested it's still obnoxious.
Anyhoo, as you can tell Suz is wonderful beyond imagination. She really is the kind of writer I want to be. I love every book she's ever written and read the vast majority of them -- though a few have gone out of print and have yet to be republished.
I can't wait til the next one -- the only thing that's bad is that I have to wait to the winter probably. (hopefully not longer)
til next time, happy readings :)
Suzanne Brockman is amazing. She is inspirational as a writer, someone I look up to and think -- I will never be able to write like her. But want to desperately anyway. She is hands down with out a doubt my favorite author. Easy.
She never fails to deliver. Hot pursuit was a little unusual in that it was sort of an Alyssa and Sam novel. But they all ready had their novel about 6 or 7 books back. There wasn't really a new central relationship. Which was fine. It paid more attention to the thriller aspect, which was also fine.
I seriously can't even describe how good she is. She has this series called the Troubleshooters Inc., series. This was her 15th. (Apparently the next one is going to be her last for a while and I want to weep.) She's created this world of first Navy SEALs and then the best personal security force in the country. And her characterization is ridiculous. She weaves hundreds of people in and out of this series (She usually has a main relationship; but she always has multiple secondary storylines going on -- she also used to always have in some way a plotline from WWII through various means -- a memoir the main character is writing, flash backs from another's grandparents etc. -- but those have faded in the last couple and I kind of miss them.) Anyway every single charachter she brings in is well-developed and unique from every other character she's written. Yes they're mostly alpha males (I mean, they're Navy SEALs after all -- they take down pirates for god's sake! lol) but they're different. And I know I bash on Nora a bit (I really do like a lot of her books -- she even wrote one of my favorites) but she could really take lessons from Ms. Suz here.
The relationships she creates are real and powerful. She has a beautiful way of writing something to feel honest. Some writers gloss over real life, but her books feature a world that is honest (even though her situations may be fantastical -- in Kazbekestan waiting out hijackers, in an Indonesian jungle on the run from drug lords) She doesn't shy away from real life situations; people don't like each other sometimes, people make huge mistakes, people are alcoholics that relapse and sleep with their lover's ex-boyfriends. And these are her main characters. She tackles issues not normally addressed in your "typical" romance novel. Alcoholism is a major theme. One that touches the lives of many of her characters. Blatant homophobia (her son in life is gay, and it's an important topic for her -- one novel in her series the main couple is a gay couple -- which is groundbreaking for the romance genre), sexism in a mainly male-dominated job, making inter-racial relationships work in a still racist world. One of her main characters was gang-raped. Another had a situation like the "gates" thing happen to him (long before the gates thing happend). Every book has various themes and points she makes -- they have depth that makes you want to go rally for something. Usually it takes multiple books for characters to find "their happy endings" -- and along with way everything usually becomes a CLUSTERFUCK. Two characters you thought she was going to put together for like 5 novels, ended up with different people because that's where their story arcs took them. I think Sam and Alyssa (probably the favorite couple of the whole series -- and yes there are actually polls out there dealing with that question) took about 10 books to get their happy ending.
Apart from characterization, which clearly she rules at, she is a wonderful storyteller. Every novel is a page turner. All her plotlines -- man, insane. I don't even know how she comes up with them. She's genius, clearly.
Some other things: SHE MENTIONS BINGHAMTON IN THE BOOK. holy shit, I had to stop reading for like five minutes, because what are the odds?!?!?! (one of her characters went to SUNY Binghamton.) Also, she cracked me up because in the begining her heroine (sort of) gets "sistered." Now before last year I wouldn't have known what that was, but as it happened to me recently I can sympathize -- and just made me laugh so hard how relatable she makes her characters. And just to send this out there as a cosmic vibe: guys do not, under any circumstances tell a girl she reminds you of your sister ... this is not flattering in anyway. Even if she's not interested it's still obnoxious.
Anyhoo, as you can tell Suz is wonderful beyond imagination. She really is the kind of writer I want to be. I love every book she's ever written and read the vast majority of them -- though a few have gone out of print and have yet to be republished.
I can't wait til the next one -- the only thing that's bad is that I have to wait to the winter probably. (hopefully not longer)
til next time, happy readings :)
Monday, August 10, 2009
a little randomness never hurt anyone
24. Finger Lickin' Fifteen, Janet Evanovich
Evanovich is so funny and she's really got what makes her so down. This isn't so much a romance novel as a mystery. Her main character Stephanie Plum is a bond enforcement agent (aka bounty hunter) but not a very good one. Shit happens to her all the time (sometimes to an unbelievealbe amount -- my only complaint) But there's usually a central mystery involved. This isn't a serious mystery novel though. For example in this one a celebrity chef was decaptiated by maniacal (and moronic) butcher; and Lula (one of Stephanie's friends) witnesses the crime. Characters involved: A cross-dressing fireman who has a part time job as Mister Clucky, the local fast-food's mascot, Grandma Mazur who's greatest pleasure in life is trying to open closed caskets at funerals to get a good look at the deceased and a beloved flasher who likes to show is giant "winkie" to all the old ladies on the block before they serve him cookies.
There is an element of romance in most of them. Ranger and Morelli are her two interests and they are very much like Bragg and Calder from the Deadly series. And GOD I love Ranger. These rakes are so appealing in novels, and in real life I suppose, but from experience I know (like my life-summing-up quote) they're better when they stay in the pages. They don't tend to work out as well in real life. sigh.
anywayyyy in this one she didn't really move either relationship forward. She's going to drag it out as long as possible -- and I guess I can't blame her, if all my books in a series ended up on the best seller lists I would milk them too.
23. The perfect bride, Brenda Joyce
I think I O.D.ed on Miss Joyce. It was good, but gahhh. I definitely needed the lighter Evanovich one after I was finished. It's a shame because my last one in the de Warrene series arrived recently. But I don't know if I'm going to read it for a while.
SOOOOO excited, I'm at b&n currently (using the free wi-fi -- I won't need to do that after tomorrow when i finally get internet in my apartment!! whoo) and I'm going to get Suzanne's new one. AHHHHHHHHHH it's going to be sooooo good :)
whoot
til next time, happy readings :)
Evanovich is so funny and she's really got what makes her so down. This isn't so much a romance novel as a mystery. Her main character Stephanie Plum is a bond enforcement agent (aka bounty hunter) but not a very good one. Shit happens to her all the time (sometimes to an unbelievealbe amount -- my only complaint) But there's usually a central mystery involved. This isn't a serious mystery novel though. For example in this one a celebrity chef was decaptiated by maniacal (and moronic) butcher; and Lula (one of Stephanie's friends) witnesses the crime. Characters involved: A cross-dressing fireman who has a part time job as Mister Clucky, the local fast-food's mascot, Grandma Mazur who's greatest pleasure in life is trying to open closed caskets at funerals to get a good look at the deceased and a beloved flasher who likes to show is giant "winkie" to all the old ladies on the block before they serve him cookies.
There is an element of romance in most of them. Ranger and Morelli are her two interests and they are very much like Bragg and Calder from the Deadly series. And GOD I love Ranger. These rakes are so appealing in novels, and in real life I suppose, but from experience I know (like my life-summing-up quote) they're better when they stay in the pages. They don't tend to work out as well in real life. sigh.
anywayyyy in this one she didn't really move either relationship forward. She's going to drag it out as long as possible -- and I guess I can't blame her, if all my books in a series ended up on the best seller lists I would milk them too.
23. The perfect bride, Brenda Joyce
I think I O.D.ed on Miss Joyce. It was good, but gahhh. I definitely needed the lighter Evanovich one after I was finished. It's a shame because my last one in the de Warrene series arrived recently. But I don't know if I'm going to read it for a while.
SOOOOO excited, I'm at b&n currently (using the free wi-fi -- I won't need to do that after tomorrow when i finally get internet in my apartment!! whoo) and I'm going to get Suzanne's new one. AHHHHHHHHHH it's going to be sooooo good :)
whoot
til next time, happy readings :)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
not a book ... but
I haven't finished a new book or anything, but I just watched Mansfield Park (delightful) and this quote sums up my life I think. lol.
Susan Price: What is his character?
Fanny Price: A rake. I think.
Susan Price: Oh, yes, please.
Fanny Price: They amuse more in literature than they do in life.
Susan Price: Yes, but they amuse.
Susan Price: What is his character?
Fanny Price: A rake. I think.
Susan Price: Oh, yes, please.
Fanny Price: They amuse more in literature than they do in life.
Susan Price: Yes, but they amuse.
Friday, July 31, 2009
The 400 page barrier
22. The Stolen Bride, Brenda Joyce
I loved this book until I hated it. It was 550 pages long; and while i have nothing against long books, I think it takes a very talented person to carry of a plotline that runs that long. With only two main characters. Who are stuck in a house for a long amount of time. I found the perfect novel is about 400 pages long. Shorter than that you don't feel like the relationship is developed enough. 150 pages longer, you feel like you want to shoot both the characters and yourself. Which is not how you should feel when you are finishing a novel. Clearly.
It just dragged on so long for the last part. And it was really miserable. Like the characters were in a really miserable position; it was very much a no-win situation. And the guy was being such a wimp. Soooo EMO. If he lived now he would be outfitted in skinny jeans and thick hipster glasses. I hate dramatic guys (other than P.C. because i absolutely love/adore him -- he's fantastic). Even at the end of the book she's like this was a hard character to write because it's a divergence from her strong "alpha" males. And I'm not saying you have to have an alpha male in ever romance novel -- i even really like him for the first 400 pages -- but when he just becomes annoying -- you need to do more cutting. The scary thing is in her acknowledgements in the begining was to her editor who "cut like mad." EEK. can't imagine it going longer.
Also the epilogue was horrendous. I don't feel like romance novels need epilogues -- spoiler alert here -- they all pretty much end up living happily ever after even if it took them a while to get there. So when you stick on an epilogue it's kind of superfluous. This one was beyond unnecessary -- it was cheesy. Horrendously so.
Anyway if she had just edited herself (although this book was copy edited nicely -- it feels like someone familiar with AP was her editor) down just a bit, it would have been a really good book. Unfortunately I just wanted to get through it. Which is never good.
Like I said, I'm all for long books. I think it's weird when people are intimidated by page numbers, or impressed with someone who finishes a 1,000 page novel. I am not. But again like I said it takes a certain skill set to be able to carry a plot for that many pages. Very, very few people can do it succesfully -- at least in my experience.
anyway I have soooo many books to read!! I'm excited. Mamacita brought janet evanovich's fifteenth (YAY, thanks mutti!) and the next book in this series (de warrenne -- it's one of two of the series that i've actually read before and the only reread for the next like month i think.) I got three Celeste Bradly's at B&N because I used to read her, then I just kind of stopped. Nothing to do with her, but her new one's were taking a while to come out so I just kind of forgot about her. So hopefully those are good. Then i have a suzanne brockmann little guy that I picked up at target along with HER NEW ONE which I am soooo ridiculously stoked about (for those of you who don't know she is MY FAVORITE WRITER EVER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD i love her books so much and she's son wonderful and when i grow up I want to be just like her ;p -- but more on that when i read her new ones.) and i have a julia quinn coming -- i haven't read that one either; it's the one before What Happens in London. Oh and I have another de warrenne i ordered from amazon. Hopefully it won't be 550 pages long lol. So, exciting! yay.
In addition to that psych and monk are starting! whoot. Plus, believe it or not, I actually have a social life/do other things than read ... so hopefully those will last me through some of august at least. :)
til next time, happy readings :)
I loved this book until I hated it. It was 550 pages long; and while i have nothing against long books, I think it takes a very talented person to carry of a plotline that runs that long. With only two main characters. Who are stuck in a house for a long amount of time. I found the perfect novel is about 400 pages long. Shorter than that you don't feel like the relationship is developed enough. 150 pages longer, you feel like you want to shoot both the characters and yourself. Which is not how you should feel when you are finishing a novel. Clearly.
It just dragged on so long for the last part. And it was really miserable. Like the characters were in a really miserable position; it was very much a no-win situation. And the guy was being such a wimp. Soooo EMO. If he lived now he would be outfitted in skinny jeans and thick hipster glasses. I hate dramatic guys (other than P.C. because i absolutely love/adore him -- he's fantastic). Even at the end of the book she's like this was a hard character to write because it's a divergence from her strong "alpha" males. And I'm not saying you have to have an alpha male in ever romance novel -- i even really like him for the first 400 pages -- but when he just becomes annoying -- you need to do more cutting. The scary thing is in her acknowledgements in the begining was to her editor who "cut like mad." EEK. can't imagine it going longer.
Also the epilogue was horrendous. I don't feel like romance novels need epilogues -- spoiler alert here -- they all pretty much end up living happily ever after even if it took them a while to get there. So when you stick on an epilogue it's kind of superfluous. This one was beyond unnecessary -- it was cheesy. Horrendously so.
Anyway if she had just edited herself (although this book was copy edited nicely -- it feels like someone familiar with AP was her editor) down just a bit, it would have been a really good book. Unfortunately I just wanted to get through it. Which is never good.
Like I said, I'm all for long books. I think it's weird when people are intimidated by page numbers, or impressed with someone who finishes a 1,000 page novel. I am not. But again like I said it takes a certain skill set to be able to carry a plot for that many pages. Very, very few people can do it succesfully -- at least in my experience.
anyway I have soooo many books to read!! I'm excited. Mamacita brought janet evanovich's fifteenth (YAY, thanks mutti!) and the next book in this series (de warrenne -- it's one of two of the series that i've actually read before and the only reread for the next like month i think.) I got three Celeste Bradly's at B&N because I used to read her, then I just kind of stopped. Nothing to do with her, but her new one's were taking a while to come out so I just kind of forgot about her. So hopefully those are good. Then i have a suzanne brockmann little guy that I picked up at target along with HER NEW ONE which I am soooo ridiculously stoked about (for those of you who don't know she is MY FAVORITE WRITER EVER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD i love her books so much and she's son wonderful and when i grow up I want to be just like her ;p -- but more on that when i read her new ones.) and i have a julia quinn coming -- i haven't read that one either; it's the one before What Happens in London. Oh and I have another de warrenne i ordered from amazon. Hopefully it won't be 550 pages long lol. So, exciting! yay.
In addition to that psych and monk are starting! whoot. Plus, believe it or not, I actually have a social life/do other things than read ... so hopefully those will last me through some of august at least. :)
til next time, happy readings :)
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