Not so Tempting for me this time Ms Chase - Don't Tempt Me: A Review

So .... I've had to really wrestle with this review. I'm not so good at talking about books I don't enjoy. It's even harder when it's an author I love. Then I find it an incredibly hard process to express why a book has failed to satisfy ...and that's your warning ... read on to read about my experience with Loretta Chases' Don't Tempt Me ... and a short diatribe about RegencyLite historical romances ....


Don’t Tempt Me, is the story of an aristocratic Englishwoman stolen by White Slavers and lost to the as a girl, who is then fantastically returned to her family after ten years as harem odalisque to be launched into the Ton to assume her birthright in London’s highest echelon.

If I wasn’t already a huge fan of Loretta Chase this premise alone would tempt me to try this book because I adore bold adventurous heroines and unconventional historical locales.

Zoe Octavia Lexham is the spunky English heroine from the back cover blurb, escaping a life of slavery to return to her family where she faces overwhelming scandal and social ostracism for a past that was imposed upon her. When this crushing defeat seems ready to separate Zoe from everything English she’s longed for these past ten years, her childhood nemesis, Lucien de Grey, Duke of Marchmont, steps forward to champion her through the threatening waters of Almacks’ and Court Presentations.

Every moment Lucien spends with Zoe tempts him to uncover all Zoe’s unladylike knowledge and unmentionable talents acquired from her harem days, jeopardising his pledge to her father to make Zoe the toast of the London Season.

Loretta Chase has certainly created a story filled with her trademark familial high-jinks, with bantering heroines and heroes finding family, fun and forever after. But Ms Chase’s latest offering has left me very flat, which is always disappointing to a fan, because I felt it just wasn’t up to the standard I expect from a Loretta Chase novel. There were a couple of points within the first few pages that made me doubt the book I had picked up, enough to make me check the cover, because this was not the book I was anticipating to read. But before I go on I should explain some terminology.

Fellow BRRAddicts have often heard me lament a style of historical romance that I call RegencyLite. I cannot take ownership of this word, in fact I can’t remember where it originated, but I’m guessing the source to be a couple of good friends with a tremendous sense of language who started the ball rolling. And since then it has become the perfect way for me to describe certain books and authors within the historical romance genre.

Anyways, RegencyLite is a term I use to indicate a historical romance set within a peculiar period of time – Americanised English Regency. In this period of time the gentleman use 20th century phrases and words like “Okay” and ladies always display a shocking lack of etiquette and decorum, but it’s all cute and adorable and we all love them because they’re all such darlings, and everything is forgiven. So I’m talking about a historical romance where there are lapses in the historical authenticity.

Basically, the author hasn’t let history get in the way of a selling.. sorry.. telling a good story. If you took away the long dresses and knee breeches, the story could be modern contemporary without too much fuss.

As you might infer, I’m not a fan of RegencyLite, and I tend to cultivate a short list of authors that do not write this style of historical, and these are the authors I stick to. They’re not always the most popular or highest grossing, but I’m always assured of a great HISTORICAL read when I select one of their books.

Now, as I’m a devoted Loretta Chase fan, I read Don’t Tempt Me for a second time to make sure that my first impression was really as bad I thought it was, and subsequently, I have to believe Ms Chase that you were rushed with this book.

The characters this time were not the customary delight that they’ve been in the past, but rather lacklustre and thin; Lucien’s ennui felt forced and contrived despite the number of times this was belaboured, whilst the occasional glimpses into Zoe’s harem world were tokenistic and shallow. Maybe if the life Zoe escaped could have been further developed within the story we could more adequately realise the relief and success Zoe felt in returning to London, her family and her way of life, that was much mentioned but not ultimately communicated.

A RegencyLite novel relies too heavily on the story using industry approved and the well established lucrative aspects of a specific historical period without giving the reader a historical experience worth reading for its own sake. Unfortunately, this is the much scorned, banged out story of romance and love reformulated on countless occasions irrespective of time and place, and therefore not a memorable book.

These are books that allow the marketing department to overshadow the creative department.

As I am a Loretta Chase fan, I will state that I am still interested in her next novel when it comes around, but I do feel sadly let down by Don’t Tempt Me. Hopefully the next book will be worth a permanent place on the bookshelves just as her backlist has warranted for me in the past.

Oh GROWL!

Dear Editor

Re: the Opinion column 'I will survive without Mills, Boon and misunderstood men'

The Age columnist Catherine Deveny has blogged about Mills&Boon romances today. While she is to be commended for taking a couple of steps beyond the usual detractor (the one who knows all about romance novels without ever having read one), she still falls into the 'other' category - readers of these books are 'other' to me. Women who enjoy these books are 'other' to me.

Especially when she compares reading them to eating Mars Bars.

Why must they always bring up the chocolate?

The article remains another example of how easy it is to bash the lowest rung on the ladder. Romance novels are the literary equivalent of obesity - easy to dismiss as evidence of a problematic lifestyle.No secure woman would read one. No woman in a happy relationship would read one. No woman with a grip on reality would read one.

Do we really have to go into this again?

I'm sorry, Ms Deveny, but romance novels don't tell women that men can make them happy. They simply celebrate that a strong, committed relationship can add immeasurably to life. They aren't about women throwing a tantrum at reality. They provide a snapshot at a time when life is happy. Falling in love feels good. It feels strong and right and powerful. Romance novels just focus on that aspect, instead of the messy break up, or the unequal division in housework, or the sleep deprivation of children, or the stress of mortgages.

Is that wrong? Well, no. I personally prefer to celebrate the good and the positive in life. In fact, I think the world view that celebrating those happy times are ...what was it again, Ms Deveny?...oh right, a sickly, fairytale enema, is a main causal factor in the problems in the world around us. Murder? Rape? Domestic violence? Yes, please! Show them on television, celebrate those who read about them. Love? Happiness? Basic human connection? Turn it off! Turn it off!

I appreciate that the fantasies in the 4 books you read did not appeal to you, Ms Deveny. Not everyone will find pleasure in the same thing.

But dismissing an entire genre - particularly one in which you have so very little experience - and over 60 million readers, and doing so in such clearly exploitive, over-the-top, and patronising tones, is unprofessional and inappropriate.

Perhaps focusing on some of the positivity in the novels, instead of jumping on the negative bandwagon, might have done you some good.

Kind regards,

Kate Cuthbert

A New Review For You - Lauren Dane's Laid Bare which was Awesome!

Alrighty. I’ve just got to write this down.

I’ve just finished Lauren Dane’s Laid Bare, a new Penguin Heat release, and I have to tell y’all how fantastic it was, and how I want you to read it too.

I’ve been a big fan of Dane’s in the past with the Cascadia Werewolves series making her a favourite Ellora's Cave author and for her many other books as well, because she’s so good at writing a suspenseful tale whilst keeping everything spicy hot and steamy with edgy alpha heroes we all so love.

So, after my good friend and fellow BRRAddict, Rose, pressed Laid Bare into my hot hands, I was eager to sink into this offering of contemporary erotic suspense with lashings (LOL!) of ménage and D/s thrown into the mix. This was a one-sitting read. You will not want to be interrupted reading this at turn’s tender and erotic story.

We start with a hot and heavy affair between Todd, stand-up Seattle cop and Erin, a dread-locked and tattooed bassist for the hottest grunge band heading for LA. The affair ends when Todd refuses to accept his need to dominate in the bedroom and Erin calls it off.

Ten years later, some life-threatening danger and two unsuccessful marriages a piece, Todd returns to Seattle to re-enter Erin’s life after fortune, celebrity stalkers and attempted murder leaves her jumping at loud noises and locking herself away in her own personal ivory tower. Erin has built a contained life for herself in Seattle again, with a coffee shop beside her brother’s tattoo parlour and studio work compensating for the rock ‘n roll spotlight, while she struggles to cope with the death of her baby girl.

Todd has accepted his true Dominant sexuality and wants what he could have had for these past ten years. He wants Erin. But he needs to overcome her fears about loving again, and breaking down her fierce shields. To keep the pace lively, Erin’s highly protective brothers add volatility, and when a third, Ben, Todd’s best friend gets introduced to the relationship, the dynamic becomes a lot more complex.

Laid Bare is a stripped back emotionally charged story of second chances between three characters that have each suffered disappointment, heartache and loss. A tender and erotic ménage contemporary with strong and passionate characters, that left me with a heartfelt satisfaction that you only get from truly great romances.

Well worth the trade paperback price, and a keeper. Bring me some more Lauren Dane now please! Yum-O!

Coming up on the TBR pile, I've got two more Lauren Dane futuristic/sci-fi erotic romances to delve into this week. As well as the new Loretta Chase - Don't Tempt Me, which does immensly, and a golden oldie from Jo Goodman With All My Heart which should be filled wtih historical high-melodrama.

Brought to you BUY Sherry Thomas

Gracious, I've got to say, things are looking mighty thin here at the Blog House. No one's popped in to visit, or review, or toss up a rant about the state of the bookshelves at Borders, or tell us all about used book stores you've just gotta visit --oh, wait, that one will come.

Gird your loins because darlings, the Blog House is about to be dorky.

Or should I say gushy?

Perhaps glommy because glomming was a recent topic of discussion?

Maybe even, "Scrumptious Victorian confection... A Cinderella story with a compelling culinary twist."

Oh, yes, my dearest BRRAddicts, I'm talking about Sherry Thomas and her novel, Delicious. Like most fairy tales, it's the story of True Love--long lost True Love. It's Cinderella retold--sort of. And you've all probably already read it. It was published last year, and Kate's mentioned it already on the loop, but it deserves to be mentioned again because this aptly titled work is utterly delish.

Hard to believe the Stalwart Contemporary Reader is fawning over something Historical, innit? Just you wait until I get going on Jo Goodman, which I will at tomorrow night's gathering (7pm Borders in Brissy CBD). But back to Sherry's Delicious, or more appropriately, Sherry herself.

I purchased two copies of the novel. One I lent to Elle before reading. The other was because of the odd way it had been printed--back to front. The step-back became the rear of the book, the back 'blurb' wrapped around the spine, displacing the window image on to the front, and when one opened the book, the contents were upside-down. For some reason, I was outraged. Sherry, this wonderful author, was likely to lose a sale, because someone (Like Elle!) would never buy her book, no matter how wonderful, in such a state. Knowing a few of our members are authors, I was further outraged.

Herein lies the dorky part: I was so full o' outraged beans, I wrote to Sherry to tell her about the misprint, so she could contact her publisher and be compensated. I never expected to hear back from her, but I did. Here's the entire conversation.

Hi Sherry,

Perhaps someone one has already brought it to your attention and the issue has been rectified (in your favour!). I've come across several copies of your novel Delicious that have covers printed back to front, which means the back cover blurb folds over the spine and the print inside is upside down. I have no qualms purchasing a book in such a state because it's got a certain quirky appeal, and, well, you wrote it. I know there are some who might not be willing to buy your wonderful novel in such a state, but I'm a little curious. I know the books store is compensated by Random House because the novel is considered "damaged," but would you receive some sort of compensation as well, since the print mistake lies with the publisher? Is a stupid print muck-up like this something that could possibly hurt you and keep you off a best-seller list, a list that could net you more profit? I know it's kinda silly, but I was mad for you.

All the best and thanks for the great read!

OB

Dear OB,

Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know about this problem. I'll pass it along to my editor.I think the bookstore doesn't actually get real compensation from Random House, more like a credit to their account the same way books unsold are returned. But if otherwise, well, I'll definitely demand my due! :-)

Again, thank you. And wish you all the best,

Sherry

P.S. I'm so happy you liked the book.

Hands up here. How many of you would buy a "damaged" book? Would book in a state like the copy of Delicious I bought postpone your glom?

Put in your two cents at tomorrow night's BRRAddict-o-rama! I'll expect some lively discussion about this.

See you all there!

OB

2009 Starts with Hit! Suzanne Brockmann's Dark of Night

Greetings and Salutations 2009! My you have been a busy year already. January has flown by and as we steadily progress into February, getting closer and closer to ARRC time, the impetus to gush about a wonderful, fabulous new release spurs me to break open the password recovery instructions and blog.

The first big hit that I've been waiting for this year has been Suzanne Brockmann's latest release in her Trouble Shooters series, Dark of Night. Released on the 27th January, the ability of Australian booksellers to deliver this prized tome into greedy readers grubby paws was pretty much THE discussion of January.

I felt utterly indulgent last Friday, leaving work early and crossing town to get my hands on my own copy, and then spending the rest of the afternoon and evening reading with a fellow devotee (Rose) and discussing the pitfalls of an author having a highly successful and popular series. I know a few of you (Kate) will raise your eyebrows over this pearler from me, but we should remember at the end of the day ... it is only fiction! Hahaha! I was totally amazed to hear that Sooze had to shut down her discussion board due to backlash on the release of Dark of Night, and this was before it was actually released!

Well, as I know some devotees haven't been able to read Dark of Night yet, I won't gush about the story at all, except to say that Sooze once again chilled me with the depth and breadth fo her amazing and outstanding talent. I didn't read DON completely spoiler free, but I avoided the most of the pre-release information just teasing myself all those months ago with the Prologue. That was enough!

I think Dark of Night was entertaining, beguiling, energizing and most of all diverting. As always I was itching to turn the page to find out what happened next. I loved the controversial character pairings. They ABSOLUTELY work!
I was one of the doubting Thomas' and I was so wrong. The pairings were perfect, couldn't be better and I look forward to seeing more of these couples in future books.

It's so hard to say something without tipping a direction. Sandra almost walloped me Monday when I burbled.

Dark of Night was totally great and another favourite keeper on the shelf! I hope all who are looking forward to reading it, get to read it as soon as possible and experience the thrill ride.

Thank you to Christine and Karen for a Fabulous Christmas Party!

I just wanted to say a BIG Thank You to Christine for hosting us Brraddicts for Christmas last weekend. You're absolutely awesome Christine!

And thanks to Anna Campbell for coming down and chattering away with us all afternoon about books, readers, publishers, rants, blogs, new books, old books, upcoming releases, release schedules, stupid bookstores and their zombie staff members, and anything else I missed.

Annie, I hope your mum wasn't too green with envy when you told her where you'd been! :)

So, happy Christmas to all Brraddicts and to romance reading addicts everywhere . Get a grip on the festive season before it wrestles you and your book budget to the floor. (Or is it just me that thinks that?)

Hugs and more,

Elle

ARRC Brisbane Roundup!

The following is my response to today's ARRC meetup with fellow Brisbane delegates to ARRC 2009. So bear with me! LOL!

Okay, so today I and a few other Brraddicts (Carolyn, Heather and Rose) met up with some fellow ARRC delegates over at Chermside Borders where Christmas present-buying season was in full sway! The hordes of people swarming through Borders and evil eye-ing our large table in the coffee shop area was starting to get a little overwhelming. But I think we did good to hold onto it for 3 hours or so! (And I told you they wouldn't throw us out for bringing in Starbcuks, Carolyn!)

So, there was Amy Andrews and her so delightful arm-cast, which in no way impeded her ability to sign the lovely HAQ Med-romance "Top Notch Surgeon, Pregnant Nurse" that she brought for us all. And Amy even put up with my scoffing of HAQ titles! Thanks Amy! But Oy! the title!! :) Like I said, the Richard Roxburgh-like cover model makes up for it!

And Meg, A.K.A Margaret Leigh handed out some postcards for her release The Heart Divided. Thanks Megs. I hope you enjoy those books you bought. Start with the Nalini Singh. She's fantastic! And make sure you get Dark Lover, JR Ward. I couldn't beleive it wasn't on the shelves! At least they had the Companion, even if it was the Piatkus release. And you definitely can't start any Lora Leigh series with the latest books, though I was pleased to see that Wild Card was there, even though there was no sign of Mercury's War. Sigh! Still, you can't start with Tanner's Scheme.

Here's Meg's picture! Good picture Meg!


And then after was chatted and nattered and dickered and gabbed for three hours, we had a "Browse" of the shelves. And Chermside Borders wasn't too bad. It was pretty good. They certainly had a few more later releases on the shelves, but then I haven't been near a bookstore in a few weeks, mainly because I've been insanely busy at work. (Ok, they've got to start letting me out at lunchtime to get up to Borders, or else something's gonna get broken that can't be fixed pretty!) And yes, I convinced Meg to get Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks, Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh and Witch Blood by Anya Bast. I also talked Evelyn into getting that one too. Even though it isn't the first book (which they didn't have I might add)

I think you can enjoy the second book without knowing what happened in the first book. If you disagree send your postcards to 131 I'mpreparedtofightthisout@brraddicts.org .. (This isn't a real address , but I'm happy for you to try it! Heh Heh Heh)

Okay, and to round me up for the night, because I'm getting a little punchy already, I've started reading the Kim Harrison series that Kate-chan lent me sooooooo long ago, and I'm really enjoying the first book. So, you'll get them back soon Kate. Thanks for the long lend. I also read the second and third Sharon Page's in her Regency Erotica series that started with Sin. Black Silk and Hot Silk were fabulous, so I look forward to more Regencies from Ms Page. Yummy Yummy.

Alrighty then ... last Brraddicts meeting for the year is this coming Friday(28th) at 7pm-ish at Borders in the City where hopefully we can re-shelve some books, drink some coffee and chatter a bit more about readerings!