World Book Day

Heard from the radio this morning that today is the World Book Day. Being a book lover myself, today is supposed to be big for me, right? But sadly, I feel so guilty for not reading much lately. Seeing my lack of update on book review should be a good indication on how much I have read recently. Which is only roughly a book in a month. Which is my worst record.

Blame it on my drama marathon and laziness. I have been watching a lot of TVB and Taiwan dramas instead of reading books. Guilty of charge. I have at least 5-8 books queuing somewhere to be read. Sigh! Okay, since today is World Book Day, I promise to read as much as I can with my book in hand. A Cathy Maxwell’s. Hehehe!

Happy reading today!

 

Lisa Kleypas: Blue-Eyed Devil

The sequel to Sugar Daddy, Blue-Eyed Devil features the story of Haven Travis, the youngest sister of Gage Travis (the hero in Sugar Daddy). Lisa’s second contemporary romance totally took me by surprise with her plot and storyline. I’m still getting used to POV but I think she really did another good job with this one, highlighting the issue of domestic violence in our modern days now.

I’m not surprised that Lisa is pairing Haven Travis with Hardy Cates, even though he is the villain at the end of Sugar Daddy. Deep down, I know Hardy Cates is not a total jerk anyway. He helps Liberty a lot during the early days in the first book. So I’m actually glad to read more about Hardy in this second book. What really surprise me was the hard times Haven has to go through in the beginning of the story. Her marriage to Nick Tanner has totally turned tragic when Nick starts to abuse Haven physically and emotionally. Apparently, Nick has narcissistic personality disorder, a total new term to me but I guess it’s getting common among people nowadays. It means he only thinks about himself and can keep on giving himself excuses to hurt people when his needs are not fulfilled. Something along the line. It’s hard to describe as I’m not an expert in this. You have to read the book to know more about people who have this personality disorder. Hehe!

When Haven’s marriage finally ends, she meets up again with Hardy after their first encounter at Gage and Liberty’s wedding. However, Haven is being reserved with any kind of relationship after being burned once.  Of course, no one in the Travis family approves Haven’s association with Hardy, but their attraction is so strong that keeps pulling them together. Problem occurs when Nick comes back to haunt Haven. Sigh! After going through hard times and heartbreak, at the end, a happy ending. That’s what important to me. Hehe!

An exciting and eye-opening story. Domestic violence is real. And it’s happening to many women and children out there. After reading this book, I have learnt that we as women should be aware and protect ourselves from domestic violence. We should be in control of our lives and make the right choice.

 

Tracy Anne Warren: The Husband Trap

 

This is the book that caught my undivided attention until I nearly forgot to cook lunch for my darling. Hence, there’s no need for me to tell you how much I like this book, right? Hehe!

The Husband Trap is the first book in the Trap Trilogy. Tracy Anne Warren is one of the few new authors I have tried since last 2 years. I have finished her Mistress Trilogy some time ago and found her books quite captivating. The Trap Trilogy is even older than the Mistress Trilogy and I nearly missed it. I still couldn’t believe myself that I finished the book in just one day, around 7 hours to be exact. Haha! I would say this first book is truly one of the best I have ever read. I truly love the plot and storyline. Just the kind of book I fancy.

Violet Branford has traded place with her identical twin sister, Jeannette to stand at the altar with Adrian Winter, Duke of Raeburn. Although the twins look exactly alike and used to trade places for fun, they are different as the moon and the sun. Violet is shy, bluestocking and loves animals. Jeannette on the other hand is socialite, care more of her appearance and rather self-centered. When Jeannette changes her mind last minute not to appear at the altar on her wedding day, Violet makes a lifetime decision to take her place. Other than the reasons to save both families from shame, Violet is deeply in love with Adrian although he has chosen the other sister for his duchess.

Adrian has never thought that the sister he chooses and courts is not the sister he marries in the end. He knows all the shortcoming of Jeannette but choose her still because he thinks she is the picture-perfect wife for his Duchess. When he finds that the ‘Jeannette’ that he marries has changed for better, he just counts his good luck and fortune but never thought that he actually marries the wrong sister. When he finally finds out the truth, the story goes into heartbreaking scene that really cause me in tears. However, nothing is more worthy than finding true love that endures all obstacles and last forever as of the case of Adrian and Violet.

I believe my tears were well shed when reading the perfect ending. Sigh…

The second book in the series is called The Wife Trap, featuring the story of Jeannette Branford. I wonder what kind of punishment she’s going to get for being the spoilt girl in the first book. Must be exciting. Can’t wait…

 

Lisa Kleypas: Sugar Daddy

From now on, all my book review will follow this naming style, Author Name: Book Title. Why do I do this? Imagine I put the title of this post as Sugar Daddy. I bet my friends who frequent my blog will start to worry and immediately click on their link to read my post, thinking I have a sugar daddy. Haha! That should be a funny scenario. Hehe!

Okay, Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite author in historical romance. I like her books because of her simple and good descriptive writing style that can really bring you into the era she’s writing. When I was first told that her latest and first ever contemporary book is written in first person point of view (POV), I have to admit I felt turned off. When it was my turn to read, it was in my bag for weeks before I really started reading it. That’s the level of turn off I had. I guess my lack of reading variety (my prefer choice is quite limited to only historical romance, thriller and a few contemporary romance but never in first person POV) leads to that feeling.

I have to say that after reading 50 pages or so, I was totally absorbed with the book. I just couldn’t put it down. The first person POV is beside the point after all. When I reached halfway through the book where the heroine meets the hero (unsuspected hero in my opinion as the summary at the back of the book has never hinted on it or is it I rather dumb..hehe), I was totally bewitched with the story.

Sugar Daddy tells the story from the perspective of a 13-year old girl (initially, however the time span of the whole story is around a decade or so I think) called Liberty Jones who follows her mother to live in a trailer park in a small town called Welcome, Texas. At 14 and three quarters (as she quotes it when she meets the boy who captures her heart ever since), she is very much in love with Hardy Cates who lives in the same town. Although the feeling is mutual, Hardy is not someone who will put love first before his ambition. To escape poverty, he decides to leave the town and Liberty.

Liberty is of course heartbroken but she’s survivor and fighter in life who has gone through hard times since childhood and even harder when her mother passes away leaving her the challenge of taking care her baby sister and starting a new life in the big city, Houston. Her life is getting better when she is acquainted with the billionaire tycoon Churchill Travis whose son Gage Travis thinks she is a gold digger and only looking for sugar daddy. When her relationship with Gage takes an unexpected turn and blossoming into love, Hardy comes back into her life, a changed man. Hence, she’s facing the worst dilemma in her life: choosing the right man.

I have to say I’m so satisfied with the story and I’m already wishing to read the second book. Another good work from Lisa Kleypas. For a first timer in contemporary, I think she did good. I love it so much.

 

Lisa Kleypas: Seduce Me at Sunrise

 

This is Lisa Kleypas’s second book in her latest series of Hathaways. If you have read the first book entitled “Mine Till Midnight”, you will definitely love this second book. I couldn’t put down the book once I started it and finished within a day during the holidays.

Since this is the second book, a lot characters from the first book reappear. I always know that romance will sure blossom when Lisa first introduce Winnifred Hathaway and Merripen characters in the first book. I’m so glad these two have their own book now.

In the first book, Winnifred is being portrayed as fragile and weak lady but always calm and quiet in the family. She’s the second younger sister of Amelia (the heroine of the first book). She was said to have fallen ill when she was younger. Merripen is a Romany gypsy and has the same tattoo as Cam Rohan (the hero in the first book). The Hathaways saved Merripen when he was young and has been living with them since. As a gypsy, he’s very stubborn and hostile to everyone who is not Hathaways. So, initially or can be said mostly throughout the book, he’s been very rude to Cam even though the latter tries to be a brother to Merripen. In this second book, I now know why and how Winnifred has fallen ill and why Merripen has special attachment with Winnifred. Their love is both fierce and passionate. Meanwhile, Cam is trying to find out more about the tattoo on his and Merripen’s, hoping to find out more about their childhood. All questions in the first book are being answered in this second. More about the story here.

There’s another three more siblings in the family, so I expect to see more books coming soon. I just love series about strong, loving and protective family.

 

Teresa Medeiros: After Midnight

Don’t know why recently all the books we found have supernatural elements in the story. It’s either about spirits/ghosts or possession or vampires. All I love…hehe!

It has been awhile since I last read Teresa Medeiros’ books. If I’m not mistaken, After Midnight was the first book I read from her this year. Teresa’s books are normally in the genre of supernatural or magic. My colleagues and I love her previous books about magic and super power in modern days. However, After Midnight is special. The first of its kind that I read. It’s about vampires in historical days. I’m such a sucker for vampires…

Caroline Cabot is the eldest sister of the three Cabot siblings. It’s rumoured that the infamous yet handsome Viscount Trevelyan, Adrian Kane is a vampire who prefer the night to day. The reason Caroline is worried about this rumour is because Adrian is paying court to her younger sister, Vivienne. Caroline’s suspicions rise when the Viscount invites them to midnight supper and to his dark castle for a masquerade ball. So, the story of course turns out to put Caroline and Adrian at romantic scenes a lot, brewing a wonderful romance full of secrets. Of course, it turns out that Adrian is not a vampire but his brother, Julian Kane is. Adrian is a vampire hunter who is searching the vampire who sired Julian. By killing that vampire, Adrian hopes to restore Julian’s soul.

Portia Cabot, the youngest sister has been in love with Julian when she first saw him. While reading this book, I know romance is brewing between Julian and Portia. I’m so happy to find that Julian’s story continues in his own book called ‘The vampire who loved me’ with Portia of course as the heroine. I’m super happy that I found this book too and started reading it now. Haha! Can’t wait to know the happy ending of those brothers and sisters.

 

Brenda Joyce: The Finer Things

Brenda Joyce has yet another very good story in The Finer Things. Before I started reading this novel, my colleague (who is a member of my book club and a fan of Brenda Joyce) told me that I would definitely love this book. After I have finished over 100 pages, I totally agree with her. I even know why I love this book. The story is so down to earth and realistic. The heroine is in love with the hero since she was 8 years old. That’s my kind of romance I like. This story is special, to me at least. I have never once read before such a sad background for a heroine.

 

Violet Cooper is an orphan that lives by the streets, a fugitive from poorhouse and being accused a murderess who poisoned her 70 years old husband of six months. She has no home, no education, can’t speak proper English and can’t walk without knocking into stuff. She’s a pretender in the peerage society where all ladies of status despise and shun her even though she married to a knight. Yet she’s strong and never give up hope to better herself.

Theodore Blake is the second son of the Earl of Harding. He’s capable and owns a bank which is rare during that time for any son of the lord to do business. Yet he’s drawn to Violet so much that it brings him great pain and dilemma. He knows he can’t marry Violet due to her background yet he can’t stay away from her. His marriage to her to save her from the gallow makes things more complicated between them.

The Finer Things really tells a story full of hope in life. There’s always someone nice and good who is willing to help sincerely, who believe the goodness in the person and give the chance to better oneself despite of life circumstances. This book is touching, full of suspense, exciting and I truly recommend it. I couldn’t put down the book in these two days. I’m just glad that it’s a touching happy ending.

 

The Two Dukes of Wyndham

A new series by Julia Quinn and I have just finished the two books in this series. I’m lucky enough to be able to find the first book, The Lost Duke of Wyndham and finished within days. When I returned this book, the storekeeper gave me the second book, Mr Cavendish, I Presume and I started it right away. It’s so much fun to be able to read two books continuously. However, if you are able to read it one after another, it’s alright I guess as the two books take place at the same time and their plots are very closely intertwined.

      

It’s my first time reading books that have the same story but from different perspectives. In the first book, we are looking from Jack Audley’s and Grace Everleigh’s perspectives. You read all their thoughts and reasons for certain actions. In the second book, you stand from Thomas Cavendish’s and Amelia Willoughby’s perspectives. At the same event/plot, but from different view from different persons. It’s cool. It’s exciting.

Let me briefly tell you the overall story. Jack Audley or rather it’s Jack Cavendish-Audley is the highway man who robbed the Dowager Duchess of Wyndham’s coach (his grandmother) one night. The dowager instantly recognises him especially his eyes and movement, she said. She suspects that Jack may be the son of her second (most beloved) son, John Cavendish, who died at sea. In the coach, there’s Grace Everleigh, who is the companion to the dowager duchess. She’s more like a servant as she said herself. The difference is she gets to wear finer clothes and occasionally converse with the guests. On the other hand, Jack knows he’s a Cavendish since birth but never really know much about his father’s family. He was brought up by the mother’s sister in Ireland. So, when the dowager kidnapped him and told him about the chance that he’s the real duke, both his world and Thomas Cavendish’s (the current duke) world are upside down.

Thomas Cavendish is the current Duke of Wyndham until he met Jack. Amelia Willoughby is his financee since she’s six months old. Everything comes to a mess as Amelia has to marry the right duke but she’s in love with Thomas who is most probably isn’t the duke. On the other hand, Grace is in love with Jack but she knows she can’t marry him as he’s probably the duke. So everything is in a mess and it’s a twisted mess. Of course, all well end well but you really have to read both books to see the different views from the different characters and you will understand more about the story.

Life is like that, isn’t it? Everything happens at the same time, same story…it’s just that we all stand on different position to view the story. It’s more like your story and my story in life but it’s all the same story all intertwined together. Hehe! It makes one wonder, right?

 

Brenda Joyce: The Masquerade

I’m currently reading The Masquerade by Brenda Joyce. I was not actually a fan of Brenda Joyce’s before until I read this. I’m hooked with this book and I wish I don’t have to sleep or work and continue reading it. Oh my! It has been a long time I have had such feeling.

  I don’t think I need to tell you the synopsis as Brenda’s website is better in that.

What surprise me with this book is this. My colleague who has rented this book for me was saying that Jennifer would definitely love this book during the time she was reading it. Why? Because the storyline is something that I fancy. It’s about love since childhood to a man that seems impossible to get but at the end they manage to get together (of course they have to go through a lot of hardship). Feel really like a fairytale and something magical. I always like such storylines. And this colleague of mine has noticed my liking. Hehe! I myself didn’t even notice it before she said it aloud. To further prove the point, I love Julia Quinn’s The secret diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever too and it has similar storyline with The masquerade. Oh My!

It’s apparent that I’m a sucker for pirate romance. I have openly told most people that I have fantasy with ships and pirates (good ones only, please). That part is very obvious. But now I’m a sucker for ‘childhood’ romance. Can I say like that? I don’t know. Anything to do with love since childhood, I will love. I really can’t explain why I love it so much. Maybe because I find it’s so amazing that a ‘puppy love’ as a child can turn out to be glorious romance in adulthood. It’s just so amazing. So many years of undying love, even they can’t be together for a long time. At the end, of course, all well ends well. That’s a COMPULSORY ending in my romance novel or else don’t bother to read at all. Hehe!

I’m half way through The Masquerade. I want more books like this. Can anyone tell me more? Sigh!

 

Tagged!

I have been tagged by Ms Pinky to do this about my reading habit. She knows me very well that I like to read and I would love to do this.

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?

I would say thanks to my ex-schoolmates who love to read that I have developed my love for reading too. I still remember a bunch of us at school (since primary) that love to read and always frequent the library to check out English books. During that time, we mostly read children books such as Enid Blyton’s. During my secondary, my friends introduced me to historical romance such as Julie Garwood’s and Judith McNaught’s. I have been in love with them ever since.

What are some books you read as a child?

Actually, I don’t remember much about the books I read as a child. What I can vaguely remember is I read a lot of books by R.L.Stine, Enid Blyton and some from Nancy Drew. I also did some of the Malay Mystery series that I couldn’t remember the name now. Hehe!

What is your favourite genre?

My favourite now is historical romance. I like thriller and horror too. But make sure it’s a happy ending or else I won’t touch it.

Where do you usually read?

Basically anywhere that I can get the chance to read. I have the habit to carry at least a book in my bag anytime anywhere. Mostly I love to read on my bed before I sleep. That’s the most enjoyable time.

When do you usually read?

I like ‘time stealing’ which means I read in between times while I wait for something such as classes, the arrival of my darling, before bedtime and sometimes early morning.

Do you read non-fiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?

Not really but I rarely read non-fiction. It will just put me to sleep faster. Hehe!

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?

I rent them from a well-stocked book shop in Bangsar and I share the rented books with my colleagues whom are my book club members. Hehe! I occasionally buy the books I want especially if I want to keep them in my so-called library. I have never borrowed from a library before though.

Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?

I always keep the books I bought. I love reading hence I love my books. It’s my precious and I love to keep them nice and well.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?

I probably will share the same ones I read as a child to my children. But that’s not definite as children books evolve rapidly nowadays. Maybe by the time I have children, they have different variety of books for them.

What are you reading now?

I’m currently reading Treasured Vows by Cathy Maxwell, one of my favourite authors.

Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?

Yeah. I sort of have an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of all the books I have read and those books I’m hunting. Now I have also used Facebook Social Reading to keep track what books I’m reading and those to be read soon. I love to read series so it’s handy to know my own records.

What’s next?

I have a few books lining up. The lady from the book shop called on Friday to let me know there’s this My Favorite Mistress by Tracy Anne Warren that I have been waiting for. It’s the third book in the Mistress series, you see. I’m definitely will read it first. Then there’s The Naked Gentleman by Sally MacKenzie, the latest book in the Naked series. Hehe! There’s also Nan Ryan’s The Seduction of Ellen and Brenda Joyce’s The masquerade. If I’m hardworking enough, I will sure finish all in one month. Hehe!

What books would you like to reread?

I don’t know why I love this particular book very much since I first started. It’s the first book I bought too. It’s Judith McNaught’s Double Standard. I have reread a few times over the years and would love to do so again.

Who are your favourite authors?

Cathy Maxwell, Julia Quinn, Gaelen Foley, Lisa Kleypas, Kinley MacGregor. Sorry to say all are romance authors but that doesn’t mean I’m very romantic, okay? Hehehe!