09 December 2015
All I Want // A Romance I Would Have Enjoyed Even More If I Had Read The Rest Of The Series
All I Want – Jill ShalvisRelease Date: 6th October 2015
Source: Publisher Headline Eternal
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Smalltown Romance
My Rating:
From the “awesomely, incredibly talented”* New York Times bestselling author of Still the One, comes a sexy new Animal Magnetism novel set in Sunshine, Idaho, where the sky is the limit when it comes to love.
Pilot-for-hire Zoe Stone is happy to call Sunshine, Idaho, her home base. But her quiet life is thrown for a loop when her brother’s friend Parker comes to stay with her for a week. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent is a handsome flirt with a gift for getting under her skin. And the situation only escalates when Parker hires her to fly him around the area while he collects evidence on a suspected smuggler.
Now she has to live and work with the guy. But when they’re in the air, she sees another side of him. He’s driven, focused, and sharp. And while he enjoys giving commentary on her blind dates, she quickly realizes with a shock that it’s Parker who gets her engines going…
I did the thing where I requested a book that was in the middle of a series and read out of order! I never do that, it’s such a rare thing. I did seriously contemplate buying all the other Animal Magnetism books first, but that seemed excessive, even for me. I knew I’d get bored and fed up of reading nothing but romance if I did that. Thankfully, romance series tend to be easy to hop in and out of so I didn’t miss much.
It’s Good, But I Did Feel Confused By The Secondary Characters
It was obvious which characters had featured in past books, (such as Zoe’s siblings and partners) because they were the characters who were barely introduced but you were obviously meant to feel connected to and understand without that. As a newcomer to the series I just felt a bit confused by them. I had no clue who Darcy and Wyatt really were. Things which happened to them previously were alluded to but you got no background. That kind of bothered me that I wasn’t getting the full story, but I suppose that is because they want you to buy the other books (they’re on a very long list).
It’s Okay Though Because I Loved The New Secondary Characters
Okay, I may not have known Zoe’s siblings and a couple of folks that lingered in the background, who I was sure had a really good background story to them, but I adored Amoury and Henry, Parker’s sister and her boyfriend. I would quite happily have read an entire book about Amoury and how she grew up and the impulsive decisions she made which terrified her entire family. I loved how Amoury was so impulsive and I loved that she obviously idolised her big brother. I also loved the fact that she had Down’s Syndrome, but it wasn’t a huge deal, it was a fact of her character which wasn’t even mentioned until halfway through the book. It didn’t come across as an attempt to diversify things, but instead it was just another facet of her character. That is getting characters right, by making them real.
But Look, You Don’t Care About That, What About The Romance?
I can go on about the story and the characters and the joy of diversity in books all I want, but I know what you really want to know is if the romance is any good? I mean, do you even need to ask that question? This is Jill Shalvis we’re talking about, of course it’s good. I mean, it starts as it means to go on with Zoe kissing Parker before he even manages to introduce himself. That is the kind of romance it is, it’s fast and a little intense and really quite fabulous.
I’m not always a fan of fast paced romance (it’s really off-putting for me) but when it’s done well then it can be really compulsive reading because you dive head first quickly into a romance you want to know all about, and that’s what happened with this book. The romance gripped me and I just loved this couple, Zoe and Parker were awesome. I am not one to claim that you need a significant other to be happy in life (otherwise I would be doing a lot more to remedy my single situation… or anything really) but really, these two so obviously wanted to find someone because they are both lonely individuals.
So, Let’s Summarise
Okay, so I’ve broken it down into random points and told you my thoughts on All I Want, but if you’re looking for a quick and easy summary of my thoughts and if you should read… well you probably won’t find anything so concise as that on my blog. But, for you, I will try.
This book is filled with a swoon-worthy and addictive romance which involves two characters who are complex and passionate and who you can’t help put root for in the romance department. You have a bunch of fantastic secondary characters who don’t feel like place holders, but characters with actual stories (mostly because a lot of them have had actual stories already… but not the point) and who are complex, and basically who you really want to read about too. And even better (I forgot to mention, or emphasise this part) this is a romance which has a fun story to it. There are animal poachers and criminals and guns and it basically read a bit like that film Romancing The Stone (I have find New Years memories of watching that film at 15 with my mom whilst drinking Bailey’s, but that’s a whole other story) but that’s what the story reminded me of, even though it’s not really similar at all. It had the same feel.
Anyway, those are my thoughts, it was an enjoyable romance read I would have enjoyed more if I hadn’t dived into the series several books in, but that did not detract from my enjoyment.
Have you read All I Want, what were your thoughts? Was I the only one hoping for a story for Amoury? And does anyone else have any experience of jumping into a romance halfway through, or any series? It’s weird, right, you keep feeling like you’re missing something which you’re meant to know.
Author Addiction is a feature where Kaja at Of Dragons and Hearts and I talk about authors we love who may not have gotten the attention they deserve on our blogs. It is an opportunity to declare our love for them and basically fangirl over how great they are.
I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned my love for Neil Gaiman before? He is an author I have quietly appreciated for quite a while. He is a fantasy author, but that’s not all he does, if you Google him he is referred to as ‘an author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films’. I mean, when is he going to take over the world? He also gave the greatest commencement speech at The University of Arts, you probably recognise the Make Good Art quotes. He is a man who fully realises he is lucky to work in the world he does and understands the work which goes into what he does and wants others to appreciate that it does not come easily and should be appreciated.
Enough About Awesome Speeches… What About His Books?
I first learnt who Neil Gaiman was when I saw the film Coraline. That film was visually spectacular, but not only that, the story was amazing. It was creepy and thought provoking and far more than I expected from a film I had judged as a mere children’s film. It really is far more than it appears, as is much of what Gaiman does. I hadn’t realised Coraline was based on a story which Gaiman had written until I saw the credits. (If we’re going with first exposure to his work, then that would be Stardust, but I didn’t realise that was even based upon a book until after I found out who Neil Gaiman was, so we won’t go there.) I was intrigued by the author, but not so intrigued I sought to read any of this work… that came later.
I promptly forgot all about Neil Gaiman and moved on to other things, but then I discovered two books, one was Good Omens, which Gaiman co-wrote with Terry Pratchett, and the other was American Gods, which Gaiman wrote by himself. Both books I wanted to buy, they looked fantastic and I absolutely wanted to own them both.
I can’t remember which I bought first, I think it might have been Good Omens, that’s definitely the one I read first. I loved the humour in it and the writing, and the story, now I’ve read work by both the authors I can see the blend of their writing. I know Gaiman has credited Pratchett with all the good stuff in the book, but I think it took both of them to make that book what it is. And it is fantastic. It is about an angel and demon coming together to try and prevent the end of the world because they have gotten attached to the world and they don’t like the sound of the prophesised apocalypse. Give me a book about and angels and I am in, and it was good.
It was my brother who then encouraged me to read American Gods (even though I’d owned the book for about a year) because he enjoyed it so much. He said he loved the various Gods and the story was interesting and I am a bit of a sucker for mythology so could hardly resist. I’m glad I take recommendations so seriously because that book was good. It’s length put me off (it’s long) but it’s so interesting and intense and really a very off putting book for those who aren’t familiar with Gaiman’s writing. I love the different Gods and the mythology, so if you’re interested that kind of thing then this is definitely a book for you along with the sequel Anansi Boys (which I really need to steal off of my brother and read). The mythology is amazing, there are deities in that book I’ve never even heard of before. It is an intriguing book and definite
So, Where Should You Start If You’re Daunted By Big Books And Mythology?
Look, Neil Gaiman has written a lot of stuff… like a crazy amount. You could pretty much start anywhere with him and there is a chance you’d hit upon something good, but I’m sticking with what I’ve read and so the two books I would suggest (apart from his short stories and actual fairy tale books) would be Stardust or The Ocean At The End Of The Lane. Both are fantastic, Stardust has more fantasy elements than The Ocean At The End Of The Lane, although both are pretty much fairy tales. The Ocean At The End Of The Lane is the perfect book for adults (you know, if you’re wary of fantasy and YA books) and Stardust is perfect for YA and fantasy fans. Both are easy books to read and both are fantastic stories, it just depends what you’re in the mood for really.
Have I Convinced You To Read His Books Yet?
Okay, so I’ve told you about his books. This is an author that has so many different stories to tell and I guarantee you will find something to interest you. My favourite is a split between American Gods and Stardust, they are just too different to choose between. And if you’re into comics and graphic novels I’ve heard good things about Sandman, it does sound rather interesting but the artwork puts me off to some degree (I’m fussy with my artwork) but I’m sure I will change my mind at some point on that front. If you want to learn more about Gaiman and his work I’ve linked to various place below and I hope you find something you like.
And don't forget to visit Kaja's blog to see her post on Roald Dahl (one of my favourite childhood authors).
So, how was it? Did I convince you to give Gaiman a try, or have you already read his work? Tell me your thoughts below.
So, it’s December and I am totally getting in the Christmas spirit right now. I spent yesterday putting up the tree at my nan’s for her (she’s too old for the decorations and hefting around the tree so me and my brother took responsibility and it sort of worked). I was the hilarious one putting on Christmas songs (does anyone actually like them?) and generally being annoying, I did untangle the fairylights, though, so I was really doing the most difficult task anyway.
As my first paragraph reveals, this past week has been consumed by thoughts of Christmas. It happens every year, December hits and I have a panic realising I have totally not gotten on top of my present shopping. This year I am at least ahead of myself. I have presents bought (but not all) and I have ideas of what I have left to buy. There is every chance that my shopping will be complete this time next week, which works quite well for me as I am out a lot over the next couple of weeks with the run up to Christmas everyone seems to want to meet up and the introvert in me is not impressed. I will be glad to have been social once I’m out, but I cannot wait for my days off over Christmas, I fully intend to curl up under a blanket and hideaway for a few days and no one can stop me.
What I’ve Been Reading
These are the books I’ve been reading. I finished Angel of Storms last night (it was gruelling, but I really enjoyed it in the end, it was one of those books which grows on you as the story develops) and I began reading My Life Next Door on Monday on the way to work. That book I loved instantly, I can see why the entire YA blogging world has raved about it for so long and I’m glad it will finally be getting a UK release! As for The Warrior Vampire, I began that last night and I am hooked. This is definitely a series which got better with the second book.
New To Me
I know, that book buying I’m meant to be on is not really showing itself with this weeks new gains… I have no excuse really. A couple are books I ordered in the Black Friday sales, so that’s justified. The Kiss on Castle Road is my pick from the Kindle First choices, so completely free, and really Once Upon a Winter's Eve was only 49p so I hardly feel that loss and I will read it so quickly I feel no guilt over it. As for The Warrior Vampire, the lovely people at Headline Eternal sent me that, and I do love to continue reading a series so I will be saving that for a nice night in soon.
I am now going to write a few posts so I have a few things to come up over December. I’m thinking binge writing a bunch of posts may be the way forward. Also, I am hopefully getting a Christmas/Winter post to come soon so keep your eyes open for it.
Have you gotten into the Christmas spirit yet? Are you like me, does it take one event to truly mark Christmas as starting (like putting up the tree) or do you stay in denial until Christmas Eve (like I normally do)?
Looking Forward is a regular feature on the blog where I let you know which books I’m looking forward to in the month. I won’t buy all the books featured (especially with my little spending ban, I shouldn’t even be allowed to look at books right now) but they are all books I’m looking forward to being released and want to know if you’re excited about them too.
I meant to post this sooner but life has gotten in the way of my time in front of a computer, it is only a short collection of books this month, though. These are the books I’m most intrigued by and I want to know your thoughts on them too.
Lord Dashwood Missed Out (Spindle Cove #4.5) – Tessa DareRelease Date: 8th December 2015 (Kindle/ebook)
Genre: Romance, Historical Romance, Novella
This one I am excited for simply because it is Tessa Dare, but also because I love this little series. I’ve not read all the books, but am slowly working my way through them and enjoying them immensely. This sounds like the perfect read for over Christmas! It involves snowstorms and a couple forced together, it sounds so fun, just the kind of story to lose yourself after you’ve been driven mad with prolonged exposure to your family.A snowstorm hath no fury like a spinster scorned!
Miss Elinora Browning grew up yearning for the handsome, intelligent lord-next-door…but he left England without a word of farewell. One night, inspired by a bit too much sherry, Nora poured out her heartbreak on paper. Lord Dashwood Missed Out was a love letter to every young lady who’d been overlooked by gentlemen—and an instant bestseller. Now she’s on her way to speak in Spindle Cove when snowy weather delays her coach. She’s forced to wait out the storm with the worst possible companion: Lord Dashwood himself.
And he finally seems to have noticed her.
George Travers, Lord Dashwood, has travelled the globe as a cartographer. He returned to England with the goal of marrying and creating an heir--only to find his reputation shredded by an audacious, vexingly attractive bluestocking and her poison pen. Lord Dashwood Missed Out, his arse. Since Nora Browning seems to believe he overlooked the passion of a lifetime, Dash challenges her to prove it.
She has one night.
Release Date: 22nd December 2015
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Small Town Romance
UNEXPECTED AND UNDENIABLE...
Bailey Moore has an agenda: skiing in the Rockies, exploring castles in Europe, ballroom dancing in Argentina. Now that she has a second lease on life, she's determined not to miss a thing. What she doesn't realize is that item #1 comes with a six-foot-one ski god hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. She doesn't want to miss out on him either, but Hudson Kincaid isn't the type of guy to love and let go. And as gorgeous as Cedar Ridge is, she's not planning to stick around.
As head of ski patrol at his family's resort, Hud thinks he's seen it all. But never has he run into someone like Bailey. She might look delicate, but her attitude is all firecracker. And her infectious joy touches something deep within him that he's been missing far too long. Now he'll just have to convince Bailey to take a chance on her biggest adventure yet . . . something rare and all kinds of wonderful.
Look, this was never not going to be on my list of books I’m looking forward to this month, I wanted to read this as soon as I finished Second Chance Summer. Jill Shalvis will always be the queen of small town romance reads for me and I will always read whatever she has to write because it is wonderful. I hope this will be just as good as her other books, but I’ll have to wait and see.
Release Date: 29th December 2015
Genre: Romance, Historical Romance
Lady Sophie’s Society SplashWhen Sophie, the least interesting of the Talbot sisters, lands her philandering brother-in-law backside-first in a goldfish pond in front of all society, she becomes the target of very public aristocratic scorn. Her only choice is to flee London, vowing to start a new life far from the aristocracy. Unfortunately, the carriage in which she stows away isn’t saving her from ruin . . . it’s filled with it.Rogue’s Reign of Ravishment!Kingscote, “King,” the Marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn’t charm, resulting in a reputation far worse than the truth, a general sense that he’s more pretty face than proper gentleman, and an irate summons home to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the journey becomes anything but boring.War? Or More?He thinks she’s trying to trick him into marriage. She wouldn’t have him if he were the last man on earth. But carriages bring close quarters, dark secrets, and unbearable temptation, making opposites altogether too attractive . . .
I am so excited for this book it’s crazy and I have to resist the urge to buy immediately because of my December book buying ban (I’ve bought an ebook for 49p, but that doesn’t could against me does it?) but also because the UK cover is boring. I am not a fan of it, so haven’t included on this post, but it is almost enough to put me off buying, but I fully acknowledge that is just me being shallow.
Release Date: 31st December 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
The Rules:
Don't deceive me. Ever. Especially using my blindness. Especially in public.
Don't help me unless I ask. Otherwise you're just getting in my way or bothering me.
Don't be weird. Seriously, other than having my eyes closed all the time, I'm just like you only smarter.
Parker Grant doesn't need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That's why she created the Rules: Don't treat her any differently just because she's blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart.
When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after being gone for years, Parker knows there's only one way to react-shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough on her mind already, like trying out for the track team (that's right, her eyes don't work but her legs still do), doling out tough-love advice to her painfully naive classmates, and giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn't cried since her dad's death three months ago. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened--both with Scott, and her dad--the more she starts to question if things are always as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken.
As you can, see my list is predominantly romance this month (it’s what I fancy reading at Christmas) but this YA book deserves a place on here because it sounds fantastic. A book about a blind girl which isn’t all about her being blind but is instead an actual story about a girl who just happens to be blind… of course I want to read that. I have included the UK cover because I like to try and be accurate about what will be available to me. I may just treat myself to this one at the end of year, but we shall see.
And there you have my little wishlist for December. Do you have any of these on your radar this month, and are there any books I haven’t included which you’re looking forward to?
November has been a month of far too much spending and lots of Christmas planning. It has been a slow blogging month and had generally been the beginning of my blogging wind down for the end of the year. I know that sounds ominous, but I like slowing things down in December because I have so many other things to do I don’t have all the time to devote to blogging and reading (I know, I’ll miss you too). Don’t fret, I’ll still be posting, but if I only pop up once a week, don’t be shocked. Let’s look at the month, though.
November Reads
November Posts | November Links |
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Author Addiction: Rainbow Rowell
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I really like quotes, so there are a couple of quotes links… also I’ve learnt I spend too much time on Buzzfeed.
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books: Thanksgiving Perspective: Romance Dinners From Hell (it mentioned Jennifer Crusie, how could I not?)
21 Childhood Books Every British Person Will Remember (And I do, it’s scary weird that we all read the same books)
And finally, go watch the trailer for The Little Prince
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Sorry I don’t have more more for you, but it was just a quick recap. How have your month’s been, read anything good on the internet lately? Link me below.
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