Jul 3 2012
Dear Author Recommends for July
It’s kind of a light weight month. Maybe July is a month for vacations and beaches where reading doesn’t take place?
Contemporary:
- At Last by Jill Shalvis, recommended by Dabney. Reviewed here. ( A | BN | K | S )
At Last is an effortlessly enjoyable contemporary romance. The romance between Amy and Matt is believable, sweet and very very sexy—it’s easy to see them having a healthy, happy future together. The extra storylines of Riley and Amy’s grandmother add depth to the tale. And, all those lucky enough to live in Lucky Harbor are still, even after five books, interesting and amusing.
Lots of contemporaries these days are set in small towns with one or both of the main characters having got there to escape from somewhere, something or someone. This feels like something slightly different. It feels more like coming home and less, despite the back blurb, like escape. And the small community is presented with a few scuffs instead of being an idealized haven.
Historical:
- Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas, recommended by Dabney, Jennie, and Jane. Reviewed by Jane here.( A | BN | K | S )
I knew by the end of chapter one, that this book would be one I would remember for a long time. In just that first chapter a well of emotion swelled up and closed the passage of my throat such that each subsequent page read triggered feeling.
PNR:
It reminded me of early Kresley Cole was the phrase that KarLynP sold me on picking this book up.
The Gwen and Reed romance worked primarily because it wasn’t immediate even if their attraction was. I loved the flirtation between the two when they meet in the bar; their mutual love of art; Gwen’s ruminations on Reed’s physicality. She watches his neck move while swallowing his beer and imagines how his torso would twist while looking at her art books. Her fingers itch to trace his leaf and thorn covered vines tattooed around his neck, “the tip of the last leaf resting just below his earlobe.” These small admirations were more convincing than descriptions of a clenching between the thighs so often found in other books.
Other:
- The Dark Palazzo by Virginia Coffman. This is an out of print book recommended by Lazaraspaste. Review to come.
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Jul 03, 2012 @ 14:25:30
Uh oh, doesn’t the Elizabeth Elliott book come out this month? Does this mean it’s not a rec? :(
Jul 03, 2012 @ 16:54:06
Virginia Coffman? o.m.g. She’d really made the most of Gothic for her books. Sometimes to the point where I thought she was channelling Dennis Wheatley or the like.
Although I haven’t read The Dark Palazzo (and probably never will), I really am looking forward to reading Lazaraspaste’s review. Should be fun.
Jul 03, 2012 @ 16:55:46
Jennie is planning to review the Elliott but I don’t know if she has finished reading it yet. When we don’t rec a book, sometimes it’s because none of us liked it, but sometimes it’s because none of us read it, or read it early enough to make the monthly “DA Recommends” deadline.
Jul 03, 2012 @ 17:15:54
In this case it means we read it (the Elliott book) and none of us liked it enough to recommend the book.
Jul 03, 2012 @ 17:16:11
If a book comes out on July 31, would a rec come on the August list?
Jul 03, 2012 @ 17:16:57
@Serena: Yes, we try (although make mistakes) to recommend books that are available now.
Jul 03, 2012 @ 17:30:42
@Jane: Thanks for clarifying!
Jul 03, 2012 @ 17:36:16
Bummer
Jul 03, 2012 @ 22:57:20
Huh – it certainly doesn’t feel sparse – I was just telling someone today how much of my recent reading has been based on reviews and recommendations from DA and then the backlist of the reviewed authors. For which, thank you.
Jul 03, 2012 @ 23:04:15
@MaryK: I’ll be reviewing it. No, not a rec, though. :-(
Jul 04, 2012 @ 12:36:19
How about Ilona Andrews’ Gunmetal Magic? Recommended/not recommended?
Jul 04, 2012 @ 12:38:33
@Ana: I liked it but I missed Kate as the protagonist.