Disorderly Lady

 

CLAUDY CONN

(Goodreads synopsis below.)

My thoughts: When I left my book at home one day and had nothing to read on my lunch hour, I opened the Kindle app on my phone and went to the book that had been sitting there the longest, which turned out to be this one (since 2015!).

I've struggled with whether to give it 2 or 3 stars. The writing isn't great and didn't really flow smoothly, and there were soooo many words, and strings of words, italicized, for no reason that I could discern. I mean, italics are meant to add emphasis, but if you read the italicized words with emphasis...well, it rarely worked. I did like this line:

She hadn’t meant to lose her heart, but if she looked for it now, she would find it in his hands.

But then there was this:

He pulled back from his kiss and licked her upper lip even as nibbled with his teeth at her bottom lip...

I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to imagine how he could do both at the same time.

I did like the characters, though Shaun was a bit dense in persisting in believing that Bella was another man's mistress, or a "lightskirt", even as he marveled at how refined she was. And I did manage to get caught up in the story enough that I never considered not finishing it.

And then. The entire book was narrated in third person POV. Until the epilogue, which was narrated by Bella in first person POV. Why? I was so confused. At first I thought maybe she was writing a letter to someone while on her honeymoon, but no. It was just an arbitrary switch.

I think 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

She tried to best him at his own game! Arabella Cullingham’s latest flirtation leaves her blue-deviled when the handsome colonel leaves without saying good-bye. Her brother determines that a London Season is what his pretty sister needs to mend her broken heart. Enter the dashing Earl of Magdalen, a confirmed bachelor whose female acquaintances run to women of dubious reputation. They meet quite by accident and circumstances allow him to deduce she is a light-skirt! Bella, for her own reasons, decides to play along, never thinking that the game might cost her the man she truly loves!

A Gamble of the Heart (Ragin' Moon Refuge, Book One)

 

K.T. RAINE

Stats: Expected pub date 5/1/24, Independently published

How acquired: Via BookSirens

First line: Becca’s eyes flew open with the hiss of the hydraulic door, the sound unnaturally loud in the serene atmosphere.

(Goodreads synopsis below.)

My thoughts: I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read from Ms. Raine, so when I saw this was available to request on BookSirens I snapped it up. I’ve previously described Ms. Raine’s books as breezy, fun, and heartwarming, with well written characters, and A GAMBLE OF THE HEART delivered on those expectations. But when I say breezy I don’t mean frivolous, as her books also touch on deeper subjects, and there is usually an element of danger to the heroine, with the hero being a protector (one of my personal catnips). Here we have Becca and her young son traveling across the state seeking refuge, after a loan shark appears at her door, demanding money to pay off her ex-husband’s gambling debt. From there, the physical danger is minimal, and the story is more about Becca finding herself again, finding friends and acceptance in her new home, and of course, since this is a romance, finding love again.

That’s not to say her ex isn’t involved in the story, and we even get some sections told from his point of view. It would have been easy for the author to write him off in the end, but she gave him some character development and a chance at redemption instead.

This is a quick read, with some tense moments towards the end, and a happy, satisfying resolution. It’s the first in a new series, and with four more brothers besides Tony I’m already looking forward to more of the Ragin’ Moon Refuge! And I highly recommend Ms. Raine’s Huckleberry Ridge series, as well as the first book of hers that I read, HOLDING OUT FOR SPECIAL.

*Received via BookSirens and voluntarily reviewed*

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Becca Pierson takes her vows seriously. So even when her husband’s secret gambling addiction shakes her world, she soldiers on, sure they can work things out. But reality soon proves otherwise, and she knows she must put their ten-year-old son David first and file for divorce. When a loan shark barges into her apartment and demands the little cash she has left, she takes David and flees 400 miles across Montana to the only place that will accept them—Ragin’ Moon Refuge. 

Tony Lascari’s family owns the Ragin’ Moon Refuge, and he has seen many a broken woman pass through. He’s never once been tempted, for he knows the baggage they carry. Life is so much easier when you only have to consider yourself. But when he picks up Becca from the bus depot, he’s immediately drawn to the frightened young mother who brings out his instinct to protect. But with Becca’s future so uncertain, he knows their relationship must stay platonic.

Becca also feels the attraction but knows she needs to focus on protecting her son, which may entail fleeing again. There’s simply too much at stake to be distracted by Tony’s charm and rugged good looks. No matter how kind he is. No matter how safe he makes her feel.

Will she overcome her past and find a brighter future with Tony’s help? Or will fears and regrets keep her forever chained to the past?

Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, Book One)

 

EOIN COLFER

Stats: Mass market paperback, Miramax Books/Hyperian Books for Children, 2003

How acquired: From a member of BookCrossing.

(Synopsis below.)

My thoughts: I had a little trouble getting into this as I found Artemis to be such an unlikable character. But as soon as Holly made her entrance I was more interested, and in fact started thinking I'd be happy to just read about her only. And despite getting more invested in the story, I would have been very happy if Artemis had died in the end, though I knew that was unlikely since there is a second book in this series bearing his name.

After I finished it, I watched the movie trailer on IMDb, and based on that and all the low starred reviews, I have no interest at all in watching the movie. Which is unusual for me.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius – and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn’t know what he’s taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren’t the fairi3es of bedtime stories – they’re dangerous! Gull of unexpected twists and turns, ARTEMIS FOWL is a riveting, magical adventure.

Never Fall Again (Gossamer Falls, Book One)

 

LYNN H. BLACKBURN

Stats: Trade paperback, Revell, 2024

How acquired: Revell Reads Blogger Program

First line: Landry Hutton didn’t believe dreams came true anymore.

(Goodreads synopsis below.)

My thoughts: I have a new favorite author! I was literally laughing out loud at the banter between the characters less than ten pages in, so I knew I was going to enjoy this. Although I will admit that the huge family tree at the front of the book gave me a little trepidation about keeping all the characters straight. However, the main characters are the ones who count, and I didn’t actually have any issues after all.

Landry has isolated herself and her daughter, Eliza, at The Haven, the resort where she lives and works, selling her pottery and giving pottery lessons to the affluent guests. It’s been three years since she was widowed and fled to Gossamer Falls to get away from her inlaws, at the invitation of her best friend, Bronwyn. She’s starting to feel safe and settled, and with the purchase of a small plot of land, ready to have a real home for herself and Eliza. Enter Cal, who runs a construction company with his brothers. When Landry comes to Cal about building her home, he’s intrigued by her, but he’s vowed to never date a single mother due to an issue in his past. And since Landry isn’t interested in a relationship either, they agree that they are going to be good friends. Little do they know!

I liked that they built a solid friendship first, as I do love a slow burn. The author does a wonderful job filling out their characters, letting us inside their heads so we get to know them and understand their actions and motivations. This is a romantic suspense, but other than a major incident and mention of a smaller one, there’s not much suspense or action for the first half of the book. Not that I’m complaining – as much as I love adrenaline rush action I’m drawn in more by character driven stories over plot driven. I really liked Landry, who is brave and strong and determined to give Eliza a happy life. And I absolutely loved Cal, who often made me laugh. Another thing I’m very drawn to is humor in a romance. The narrative breezes along, often with light moments but still touching on some darker ones. Just like real life. And when the suspense portion of the story suddenly accelerated I was glued to the pages.

I loved how Cal’s family and friends kept referring to Landry and Eliza as “your girls”, to which he responded with quick denials. I think my favorite scene in the whole book was when Cal finally admitted it to himself. But truthfully, I loved the whole book. I’m very much looking forward to the next one.

*Received via the Revell Reads Blogger Program and voluntarily reviewed*

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Landry Hutton has spent three years rebuilding her life behind the secure gates of The Haven, an exclusive resort on the outskirts of Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. As the artist-in-residence, and with her pottery prized by The Haven's guests, Landry is finally ready to settle in permanently. She wants to give her daughter, Eliza, a safe home to grow up in and hires former Marine Callum Shaw to handle the construction. 

Cal grew up in Gossamer Falls and always knew he would someday join his family's business. He longs for a family of his own but has almost given up on that ever happening. Landry is funny, gifted, and everything Cal could ever want in a partner, but he vows to keep his distance. Landry has a daughter and a past. Cal has been down that road before and barely survived when the woman he loved left, taking her two sons with her. He can't bear to lose like that again. 

Before construction on the house can begin, Landry's pottery is destroyed in a suspicious fire. It soon becomes clear that Landry and Eliza are in grave danger--but because of whom? But, after losing one relationship, he is hesitant to try again.

Under a Summer Skye (Skye Sisters, Book One)

 

SUE MOORCROFT

Stats: Kindle Edition, expected pub date 5/23/24

How acquired: Via NetGalley

First line: Thea’s heart tried to claw itself out of her chest as she stooped over the motionless figure sprawled in the road.

(Goodreads synopsis below.)

My thoughts: This is my first time reading Ms. Moorcroft, and I didn’t really know what to expect. I love stories set in small communities, and the setting of the Isle of Skye in Scotland definitely interested me. And just 2% into the story, when Thea witnesses a handsome stranger rescuing a drowning dog, I was hooked.

Often when I read I’ll pause to look up the pronunciation of a word, because even reading silently to myself I like to pronounce things correctly. I didn’t have to worry about that here, thought, thanks to the author who skillfully and helpfully inserted pronunciations, such as Thea remarking to Dev that when she moved to the Island from Suffolk she thought “Sleat” was pronounced “sleet” rather than “slate” (so did I). And most surprising to me was learning that “Loch” is pronounced with a “chh” sound at the end rather than as “lock”! Who knew?! There are also lot of great descriptions of the countryside, the village, the ocean, the sky. And the author is obviously very knowledgeable about gardening, or did some thorough research on the subject.

Thea and her sister both work at a manor home that is partially open to the public, Thea as head gardener, and Ezzie in administration. In her previous life Thea had starred on a reality TV show, until a collision between her car and a bicyclist spun her world into chaos. But she, along with Ezzie, has made a new life for herself in this remote area. When Dev shows up just in time to rescue that dog, Thea mistakes him for a job applicant, and Dev seizes on the idea and runs with it. He’s actually there to try and secure an interview with Thea for a trashy celebrity website, a job he hates but has taken out of financial need. The thought of spending the summer on Skye, working with his hands in the gardens instead, seems like heaven and an opportunity too good to pass up. But the purpose of his original mission has already set wheels in motion, and he spends much of the book trying to do damage control and agonizing over whether or not to confess the truth to Thea. I loved Dev, but at times I wanted to knock him on the head and tell him he needed to come clean. I often had a feeling a dread, for of course the day of reckoning would come eventually.

This was a truly delightful read, that touched on some deep issues, as Thea, who was adopted, also deals with learning who her birth mother is. The secondary characters are not necessarily fleshed out well, but I was so caught up in Thea and Dev, and Ezzie, and eventually Thea’s birth mother, that I didn’t care. And the little dog, Daisy, who is a joyful character in her own right. I gather that the second book in the series will be Ezzie’s story, and I am eagerly looking forward to it.

*Received via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed*

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A chance encounter is about to change everything for Thea Wynter.

The moment she arrived on the Isle of Skye, life changed for Thea. Running from a succession of wrong turns, she comes to the island in search of blue sea, endless skies, and mountains that make the heart soar. Here, she feels at peace.