A Book Review -"Defiant" by Kris Kennedy

Synopsis

Defiant is a medieval romance set in the time of King John.  Eva, a woman with a mysterious past, is on a mission with her ward, Roger to rescue Fr. Peter who has been as a foster father to her. Jamie, a man with an equally mysterious past  is on a mission to capture said priest and turn him over to King John. The two meet and clash. Each is hiding secrets with tremendous political ramifications for the realm and for their loved ones if discovered.  Fate and circumstances conspire to keep them together as they both desperately search for Fr. Peter.

The distrust factor between them when they first meet is huge.  Both know the other is lying, about their past, about who they are, and their purposes. It is only their shared interest in the fate of Fr. Peter that first initially keeps them together. They are both interested in each other but personal trauma in their own lives has made it impossible for either of them to trust.  They both expect to get betrayal from just about everyone in their life.

External conflicts include the entire country on the verge of civil war, the fact that Jamie is in service to King John, a man whom Eva despises and fears, and several other very bad guys.

My Take
This book is an A read by any romance reader's estimation. It's a historical with a capitol "H" with history woven into every aspect of this book.  Nothing wall=papery at all.  The setting is richly detailed and this is a real case where the political is truly personal as the movements and goings-ons of various historical personages play a very important part of the H/H lives and  their  ultimate fate. The hero and heroine are amazing and their interactions fairly brim with sexual tension and excitement. And the final love scenes are HOT, not just because there is explicit language, but because so may walls had to come tumbling down between Eva and Jamie.  When the H/H  do make love, it really is making love and not just sex.  Left me breathless, this part did.

I did like this book and I recommend it to anyone who wants a rich historical medieval with a wonderful emotional romance.  HOWEVER.  It will be a long time before I read any more of Kennedy again.  I know a lot of people really love historical romances with alot of history in them and where all the details are 100%  accurate. I am not one of them.  See, the time of King John was not a good time.  And to Kennedy's credit, all of her characters' lives reflect this terrible reality to a great extent.  And that's my problem with the book.  Just too much history and reality for my taste.  It did make me doubt the happily ever after for the H/H.. 

Its just me, but I read romance for the romance.  I really don't care if the hero drives a Corvette up to the castle walls,  honks the horn for the heroine to get in,  all the while firing at Robin Hood with a sub-machine gun.  In this book, I wanted more of Jamie and  Eva and less of the bad guys and political intrigue and King John.  But its not the kind of book where you can skim those parts without missing some important stuff, so I felt compelled to read those parts even when I didn't want to.

All in all, this is an excellent...just not what I am currently looking for in a romance.
Final Grade: A

Sharing -A Book Review

 "Sharing" is a self-published book by Miracle Jones.  Ordinarily I would never have bothered with a self-published book, but a mention from  Dear Author, was enough to make me curious.  So curious in fact, I paid the five bucks required, and bought it.  And read it in one sitting, sacrificing valuable sleep time to finish it.  Yes.  It is that good.

It’s difficult to give a synopsis of this book without massive spoilers.  So if you are at all interested in reading a fantasy involving orphans, an eloquent cockroach, a vast sucking hole and a kitten that’s really an evil fungus –like planet, DO NOT read the following synopsis.  One of the chief pleasures of this book is the way the author keeps the reader guessing all along the way until the end and I fear that a too detailed synopsis will ruin the surprises in store, but here goes anyway.

Charlotte and five others are taken from their orphanage by an Indrik, a creature that looks like a “combination of a bull, a preying mantis, and a fashion model.” He deposits them on a world comprised of orange sand, twisted trees and a huge continuously sucking hole.  Except for a diner and a befouled cathedral with cryptic scenes painted on the walls, the world contains nothing else. The children are required to cook and clean for the Indrik with horrendous consequences for those who fail to obey the creature’s commands. 

Through a gruesome series of occurrences, Charlotte finds herself alone.  Desperate to escape, she trains her body so that she may one day kill the Indrik.  But she doesn’t know where she is, or what this world is, or its rules or anything of help. All she knows is that if she fails in anyway to satisfy the Indrik, she will be killed and eaten.   The Indrik brings her dead animals from many different worlds to cook and eat. One day, she opens a sack of dead cockroaches, only to find one left alive.  His name is Asfodel and he is the most literate, educated cockroach she has ever encountered.  She doesn’t kill him, and he becomes her guide in this world. It is he, who teaches Charlotte to Share. 

The Nested Worlds (as Asfodel refers to them) are built on several powers, of which Sharing is one of them.  Sharing is mind to mind communication.  One who has truly mastered sharing can see into another’s mind and even see another’s soul. Asfodel trains Charlotte to share, so that she may defeat the Indrik and escape from this world.

But if Charlotte is truly to escape, she must understand the nature of her existence and this will lead her to a deeper understanding of her sworn enemy, an understanding so profound, it might very well destroy her soul.

I have never read anything like this book before.  The sheer weirdness of the world, the absolute villainy of the Indrik and Charlotte’s defiance of the cruelty of her existence as  well as the steller writing, make for a compelling reading experience.  I felt for Charlotte and rooted for her to escape.  I fell in love with Asfodel- the eloquent cockroach who is, as he puts it, really a fairy.  And the kitten planet cracked me up on more than one occasion.  But for all the strangeness of the book, I never felt as if the characters, even the bizarre ones, were anything less than relatable and human,  Even the Indrik, surely one of the worst villains presented in fantasy literature becomes, if not sympathetic, perhaps understandable.  I even pitied him a little.  And that’s saying something.

I will definitely read the next book in the series. As well as anything else this author has written. By far, the best fantasy I have read in a long, long time.  J.K Rowling, eat your heart out.

 I

Adrienne Rich and Other Depressions

So she died. So what. Sigh. That's just it, isn't it? Who outside of anyone in a literature class knows or cares?  To be truthful,  I heard about it on NPR, who described her as an "antiwar, feninist, lesbian" poet and as a major cultural icon. The description of her made me grit my teeth.  Well it was a good thing she was all this or she wouldn't've been significant!!! Or at least not to the luminaries at NPR....but that's another post for another time...

Yeeeeesh. ..she was a poet, first and foremost who used few words to convey truth and beauty and honesty. Can we not talk about her in this way, must we label and categorize her and keep her in a box???? Of course to not acknowledge these labels would be in error, but to sum up her life in just these terms seems to belittle her considerable talents.

And the whole thing about her being a major cultural icon....sigh. There is no poet today who will ever be a cultural icon. End of story. Sad but true.

Oh well...I did say this post would involve "depressions."
I urge people to seek out her poetry and decide for yourself, her worth as a poet.

I like this chick....she seems to sum up my take on things perfectly....

I snapped this small statue at the Met the other day. I like in particular the expression on her face....

My Crack Habit

...is a "A Song of Ice and Fire."  That's why I haven't posted lately. Seriously these books are crack and I can't stop reading them.  I've had to take a break after the second one, however. I do have children to feed.  Also, I've come to the realization that I will have to read every book in the series twice because they are so dense. At approximately 1,000 pages each, that's alot of reading.  And these books are dense, yet easy reading all the same.  Which left me wondering, as a writer: How does he do it?

So I am taking a break from all things romance and trying to analyze what makes these books so seriously addictive.  Here's what I have been able to figure out:

1. That old trick of ending each chapter on a cliff hanger really, really works.  In Martin's case, the next chapter is another point-of-view and takes place somewhere else in the story. So you have to keep reading to find out how that particular cliff hanger turns out. And then the next chapter has another cliffhanger that gets resolved elsewhere...repeat, repeat repeat. Never gets old.

2.  Good people sometimes do bad things and bad people sometimes do good things.  Just like real people. Nobody's one hundred percent good or bad.  Even the really, really bad guys have some redeeming quality.

3. Vocabulary, good descriptions, lots of strong action verbs, lots of showing, almost no telling.  All those things they tell  you to do in writer's workshops, yeah they really work.  My only (minor) criticism is sometimes the pace is a bit  too breathtaking.  There are times I would appreciate a pause in the action and they just don't come too often.

4. Character development out the wazoo.  See number two. Martin is not afraid to reveal layers of complexity in all his characters.  And just when you think you have a handle on someone, a secret is revealed from his/her past or the character does something unexpected. But it never feels like the characters are going off the reservation and acting "out-of-character." Often times, the reader's perception of the character is formed from the observations of other characters, based on too little information.  Just like you or I form expectations of people in the news based on other's perceptions and comments. So when a bad guy displays some sympathy or is shone in a better light, it never feels weird. Its just new information.

I could go on.....but these books are so rich and well developed.  Sigh.  Wish I could write like that.  So....what book have you read that had you sighing and saying "I wish I could write like that?"

Under Advisement

In "Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin, Catelyn Stark gives what turns out to be (spoilers ahead!) spetacularily bad advice to her husband, Ned Stark. Her bad advice, and his taking of it, spur the plot of the whole novel. This got me thinking about advice and romance novels.
How is advice used to develop the relationship between the hero and heroine?  I can think of two ways primarily. One: the heroine gives wonderful advice to the hero and he comes to rely on her and love grows from the action. Two: the heroine gives advice to the hero and things go wrong, causing the hero to doubt the heroine, advice becomes an impediment to love. 
I think it works in the reverse too...except in many romance novels, its not so much advice the hero gives as commands, which is a different subject entirely....
Advice by its very nature is used voluntarily. The hero is free to take it or not, as he chooses. How he handles advisement can tell you loads about the character and the state of the relationship.
In the example of the Starks above, Ned takes bad advice from his wife, even though instinctivly, he knows its not the right choice for him. The scene shows how much he respects and trusts her as well as the state of their relationship.
So what do you think? Any great romance heroes you can think of, willing to take advice?

Valentine's Day

I was disappointed to read the Catholic Church had de-saintified Valentine's Day.  They do that from time to time, when they are forced to admit that the "saint" being celebrated can't be verified by any facts and has been based upon much hearsay and legend.  St. Christopher suffered the same fate.  Too much legend, not enough verifiable truth.  I guess its sort of like a demotion. 

So that's kind of a bummer.  St. Valentines' Day is really just Valentine's Day now.  On a more positive note, I was pleased to read about "National Marriage Week" through a link from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://foryourmarriage.org/. Lots of great tips on how to keep your marriage happy.  Its nice they've coincided National Marriage Week with Valentine's Day.

Which led me to thinking about (you guessed it!) romance books.  I wracked my brain trying to think of a memorable Valentine's Day romance, or even just a romance book with a Valentine's Day scene in it and I came up with nada.  Zero, zip, zilch. Is it because they don't exist, or does this holiday with all its flowers, cards, candies and chocolate just too, too, much, even for the sappiest, most cliched romance? Can you think of a good Valentine's Day romance, or memorable scene having to do with Valentine's Day?

Oh Baby!

Today, I'd like to discuss the baby epilogue.  As long time readers of romance know, the babylogue was at one time ubiquitous.  You couldn't read a romance without a two-three page ending, detailing the happy couple's joy at the birth of their baby. Both parents, beaming proudly at their offspring, while assuring each other of their undying love, fade to black.

I haven't seen as many babylogues lately.  They seem have become passe in many respects. And truthfully, alot of them had a tacked-on, cliched feeling to them. Leaving aside the fact that any parent knows  a baby is the death of romance (at least for a little while!) the babylogue was often formulaic, more there because readers expected it, not necessarily because it was the right thing for the characters.

So babylogues seem to be going the way of the dodo bird. And I don't like it.
I know all the problems with the babylogue, but I miss it all the same. There was a satisfaction in knowing the characters would continue to grow " beyond the story" and even though parents know romance can be difficult with small children, children can cement a relationship, and help in time, make the marriage stronger. And quite frankly, to have a historical romance wherein the possibility of  children is  not mentioned at all, is just plain ahistorical.

I am wondering if there is a deeper meaning behind the death of the babylogue. Is it because readers have grown tired of the formula? Is it because the majority of people are annoyed by the idea that there must inevitably BE a child? Or is this the triumph of romance above all: "We're so happy we don't need no stnkin' baby. We are the end all and be all of each other!"
So why has the babylogue ceased to be ubiquitous?

Short Story Friday

http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/RetuPara.shtml

Its diffficult to find romanc in the short story format today. I'd like to highlght witers wo work in this fomat and do it well. If you know of any, please feel free to send me a link to their work. In the meantime, follow the link to the above, very short story.  Its a wonderful tale of a woman rethinking her marriage. Alot of emotional punch packed in a very short space.  Kudos to the author.

What do you think?

Who's the Better Romance Hero: Eli or Tom?

The other day, Andrea Peyser of the New York Post had an interesting column, comparing and contrasting Tom Brady and Eli Manning.  You can read about it here: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/spoiled_beauty_has_got_plenty_but_wA4uZ7eYWxhirwwDSxrIOL

Eli Manning, is according to Peyser, a better man than Tom Brady.  Eli lives on "only" 7 million a year.  Eli lives like "real people" in a condo in New Jersey.  Eli's nanny and baby looked very cute together when the camera panned to his family's box at the Super Bowl...o wait, never mind about that last part!

ANYWAY. Couple this with Eli's "aw shucks" performance at  David Letterman's and you have the good, decent romance hero. A kind of beta best friend to the rakish Duke.  The kind of guy who will get his lady love in a novella available for free on an author's website. Tom Brady on the other hand would be the alpha. He had the bigger house, more money, more beautiful (albeit bitchy wife). He's the kind of guy in serious need of redemption.

Of course, Eli beat Tom, which might mean, Eli the "secret alpha!"

So...who is the better romance book hero?  Eli or Tom?

Not Really About Romance

Bare with my folks..this blog is in beta format and I am learning as I am going.  Glad you are on the journey with me...

Okay so I'm reading a book called "Pym" by Mat Johnson. Its not romance and usually I avoid straight literature type books like the plague. Boring. Nihilistic. Blah. I figure if I want that I'll watch the news!

But every now and then I take a look at books that smart literary types say I should be reading just for kicks and giggles, you understand. This one appealed to me because it sounded quirky, weird and interesting.  Kinda fantastical, even.  In a nutshell, a Black professor of English literature gets fired at his all white college and becomes convinced  a work of fiction:"The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" by Edgar Allen Poe was a true account of a real voyage. In Poe's book, Pym lands on a island of Black people (actually they are more like monsters) who have never seen white people before.  Pym's friends are killed and Pym barely escapes with his life.

Our professor decides to go on an expedition to find this island.  The novel is an account, told from his point-of-view about what happens when he does. I will probably not finish reading it. Why.

1. I hard a hard time accepting the the Black professor in the college would get fired.  The reason given was that he would not join the college's Diversity Committee. Sorry.  I worked for a college for seven  years and this did not fly. He was well published and taught courses in Black literature. Not only would the college have given him tenure, they probably would have made him head of the English Department. But this was a small thing to swallow in comparison to the rest of the book...

2. The character is crazy, and rather pathetic.  He's been pining for a woman who walked out on him years ago.  He actually hires her and her husband to go with him on his quirky expedition. I don't find the theme of unrequited love interesting.  Lots of great poetry has been written about this theme, but I wouldn't call this book great poetry. Its well written, but that's about all.

3. He looks down upon his best friend. The best friend is described on more than one occasion as "fat,"  and "plump."  He's always eating Little Debbie snack cakes. The best friend likes Thomas Kincade (called "Karvel" in the book) a detail used to show that he has no taste and little intelligence, compared to our black professor friend. Actually he sneers at just about every other black Black person in the book. Got tired of reading it.

Also there is a "perfect"stereotypical  homosexual couple in the book used as contrast to our black professor's own ridiculous longing. 

This book was very well reviewed elsewhere (heck, what do I know ?) and I guess I am the only one in God's creation that didn't like it and won't finish it. I am really glad this was a library book and
I didn't fork over my hard earned dollars for it.

So, do you like "quirky" books?  Has any quirky book worked for you recently, and why? Or, have you read this book and really love it and wanna tell me to go you-know-where?  Let me know!

Romance or Not?

I think one of the things I would like to do is discuss celebrity behavior, especially in the light of my topic of romance.  To this end, "Romance or Not"will probably be a sometime feature (whenever I see anything that interests me) where I discuss (and hopefully you too!) whether a certain behavior by a celebrity would fit under the trope of romantic love.

Soooo...Tom and Gisele.  You've probably heard about her nasty remarks after the Super Bowl.  (Go here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/super-bowl-tom-brady-gisele-bundchen-287254 for more info.) 

My burning question is: Would this be something a romance book heroine would do?

One one hand, I like her fiercely defending her husband.  I also was charmed with her email asking for prayers.  On the other hand (yes I have three) her viciousness in blaming his teammates for the loss  will certainly make things very awkward around the water color in the Patriots' locker room. Not something a romance book heroine would do, without appearing like an idiot and thoroughly dislikable.  But it is something I can see a more awkward type of heroine doing.  I am thinking of the heroine in "Goddess of the Hunt" by Tessa Dare whose name escapes me. A moment like this, if I read about it in a romance book, would make me cringe, but would give the author a perfect opportunity to show the heroine's character growth.

So what do you think?  Gisele: Romantic or Not?

(Standard Celebrity Disclaimer: I know these are filthy rich people, leading charmed lives and are spoiled brats. ((perfect Harlequin Presents Material)) but so what.  What's romance without a little fantasy?)

A Romance Blog for Grown-ups

Hello. I love romance. I love romance books. I love looking for romance in pop culture. On a deeper note, I am spending much of my thought time wondering at the intersection of romance, culture, religion and history
So what does that mean for this blog? Glad you asked!

Firstly, I am a glass half full person about some things. I'd like to discuss, in a serious way, positive descriptions of marriage in popular culture, primarily books.  So I'll talk about romance books that are interesting to me. I have a special interest in Christian romance, as I have seen little, if any serious critique or discussion of it.

Secondly, I am very interested in the depictions of male/female relationships in pop culture, music, the gossip rags, etc.  Brad Pitt, Prince Harry, Jennifer Lopez, all are fair game. The way in which these relationships are depicted, can tell you alot about how the culture defines love and marriage.

Lastly, I am interested in religion and history because any serious discussion of marriage must take these subjects into account.
So....what famous couple do you think epitomizes romance at its finest?
Next Topic: Tom and Gisele! (Seriously)