Review: Goddess of the Hunt

Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

I've been anticipating this book since I read a favorable review in Publisher's Weekly describing it as "all the best of romance in one novel". Now I'm not one to run out and buy a new-to-me author or a debut author right away. My limited book buying bugdet makes be very cautious in my purchases. But when I also read a good review on Dear Author I rushed out to buy this and it went to the top of my TBR pile. Boy, I'm glad I did.

The plot: Lucy Waltham has loved her brother's friend Toby since she was 12 years old. Now, when it seems he's to propose to another woman, Lucy decides she'll have to seduce him. Unfortunatelfy she has no experience in seduction. Fortunately, her brother's friend Jeremy Trescott is available for her to practice with.

This book uses two of my favorite plot devices. I love books set at a house party, in this case at a hunting party at the Watham's country estate. This setting allows for a small cast of characters a few of which are hopefully well developed and opportunities for privacy for the h/h.

I also love the friends to lovers plot. In Goddess of the Hunt Jeremy and Lucy are not friends since she has always been the tag-along younger sister to her brother and his friends, but still they have known each other for years. They just begin to see each other in a different light. After three kisses Jeremy is absolutely sure that he wants Lucy. Lucy needs a bit more convincing that she doesn't, in fact, love Toby. But Jeremy can be very persuasive.

It's amazing to me that this is a debut. The writing is first rate and seemless. Dialogue is very real and amusing. But I think what made this stand out is the "scenes", for lack of a better word, that the author uses to tell the story. They are creative and fresh. There are many instances of this but I think the best one is how the author gets the h/h to marry. The easiest way to force a marriage is to have the h/h be caught in a compromising situation. I've read a zillion of those scenes and I've come to expect them. In GOTH a compromising letter is found that could be easily explained away. EXCEPT Jeremy wants her and sweetly steps forward to accept responsibility. There were several scenes that were done so well that I had to go back and reread them before finally putting down the book.

In summation, Goddess of the Hunt was a fine debut and I look forward to the next two books in the trilogy.

My grade: A-

Review: What Happens in London

What Happens in London by Julia Quinn

This weekend's romance reading was the new, delightful novel from the delightful (she must be) Julia Quinn.

Olivia Bevelstoke is pretty, intelligent (although no one seems to expect this of her) but bored. When she hears a rumor that her new next door neighbor, Harry Valentine, killed his fiancee she decides to watch him. Fortunately, his office is right across the yard from her bedroom window and she can easily observe his activities. Which she does. For five days. On the fifth day he sees her and this puts an end to her spying. Olivia does not realize that Harry has been aware of her spying on him all along. He has been translating documents from Russian to English for the last week and has now been asked by the War Office to spy on a Russian prince and the woman he is courting, none other than Olivia Bevelstoke.

This story does not begin with Olivia, however. As she did most memorably in The Duke and I, the author begins the story by introducing Harry in a rather long prologue. We learn about his family and how he came to serve in the army and along the way the author engages our sympathies for the hero. Harry is serious and intelligent, in a quiet way, but possesses a sense of humor. When Olivia and Harry meet they are prejudiced against each other but this quickly gives way as they get to know each other.

This is where Julia Quinn shines, in the getting-to-know-one-another aspects of her books, and in her dialogue. Harry and Olivia talk to each other, they tease each other, they become friends. Their conversation is witty, humorous, and just delightful.

I read this with a smile on my face.

My grade: A-

Review: Under the Wishing Star

Under the Wishing Star by Diane Farr

Diane Farr is a great author who has not been given her due. She writes nice emotional stories with fully developed characters. This book is related to my favorite book by her, Under the Lucky Star.

In this romance, Natalie Whittaker is in a bad situation. After running her family's estate for years her younger half-brother and this annoying wife have come home to play lord and lady of the manor. Natalie is so desperate to leave that she agrees to take a position as a governess for a handsome stranger that she has just met. But when widower Malcolm Chase turns out to be her new neighbor, Natalie realizes that she can't compromise her status in the neighborhood by living in a bachelor household. The only solution? Marriage. But is Natalie willing to accept a marriage of convenience?

This is a sweet, subtle romance. It had a very traditional feel that just hit the spot. After reading a few hotter stories, with the focus on sex it was nice to read a slow building romance, focused on the emotions of the hero and heroine. I don't believe Diane Farr is still writing, which is a real shame. She is one of the best.

My grade: A-

Review: Guilty Pleasures

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

I know I'm late to the party when it comes to the Anita Blake series. I've been rather dismissive of the whole paranormal trend in fiction and romance, but I'm beginning to think I've missed some great books. This book was really great and is very promising start to the series.

Anita Blake is an animator, meaning she brings people back from the dead, at least temporarily, in the form of a zombie. Very handy when there's a question about a will. She is also known to vampires as the Executioner because she's got a real talent for exterminating vampires. In this first story Anita is blackmailed into investigating the murders of innocent vampires. However vampires are unpredictible, especially the St. Louis master vampire Lothoas, and Anita realizes she's likely to be lunch no matter how her investigation goes.

More horror than mystery or romance (I believe a romance develops in later books), this book is violent, bloody and thrilling. Lots of action and smart-assness from Anita. I will definitely be reading more Anita Blake books.

My Grade: A-