Delicious by Sherry Thomas

Delicious by Sherry Thomas (also on Vox)

When Sherry Thomas' first book, Private Arrangements, came out, bloggers everywhere seemed in love with it. I read it and I enjoyed it. But given the high expectations, I enjoyed the book, but I didn't love it as some people did. So when Delicious came out, I was somewhat excited, but wary of the very positive buzz again. I was afraid to read too much about it in case my expectations got too high.

Verity Durant is a notorious chef. Her food is scrumptious and fit for kings. But she is also notorious for her relationship with her employer, Bertie Somerset. When Bertie unexpectedly passes away, his brother, Stuart, inherits everything, including Verity. As we come to find out, Verity and Stuart had one special night ten years ago. Can the two lovers find their way back to each other? Can Stuart, a politician on the rise, marry a nobody like his cook?

I had a bit of a hard time even opening this book because I wasn't a big fan of the concept. It's a bit Like Water for Chocolate. I'll never forget that scene when she started crying into the food and everyone who ate the food started crying. It's a little too fantastic. I never quite bought into the cook cooking with so much passion that those who eat her food will feel the same emotions. Anyway, but I did stay up until 3 am finishing this book.

Unfortunately, I think I read this book in one day not because I loved it, but because I kept waiting for something. But I didn't get it. I didn't feel the bond between the two characters. There was just too much backstory and not enough resolution. There's a secret adopted baby, a hidden inheritance (actually two of those), bastard children, half brothers at war, and more.

Here are my problems with the book (SPOILER AHEAD):

• I didn't feel like Verity really resolved her issues with her family. It seemed like she had all these problems with her family that were just instantly resolved. It seemed like the author was setting her powerful family up to be the bad guy. There were some ominous threatening overtones. But magically, her family loves her and was only mean for her own good? And Verity is okay with that? After 10 years of struggling on her own, she's now just going to be folded back into her family like nothing happened?
  And I felt like Stuart got off too easy. The people he had to make peace with were gone so basically he just had to forgive himself?
• I also didn't understand what made Verity make the mistakes she did when she was young, the one that got her basically into the whole mess she's in now.
  Also, it was a bit weird that Verity is such a notorious figure, but her affair with Bertie actually ended years ago. So she's basically a big harlot for doing ... nothing.
  Then there's Stuart and Verity's relationship. They both held their one night in such high esteem that they both never looked for anyone else for 10 years?? I'm sorry, ONE night with a total stranger??? I guess the idea is romantic, but I wonder if it's not just a bit obsessive.
• In the end, I guess I just wasn't rooting for anyone in particular, which was a problem.

Overall: C+.

p.s. What's the author's obsession with keeping people apart for 10 years? I keep hearing Janicu's voice in my head... tennnn yeeeeaaaarrrrrrs!!!

Deadlock by Iris Johansen

Deadlock by Iris Johansen (also on Vox)

Emily Hudson works for the U.N. Along with her partner Joel Levy, she goes to war torn countries and saves the artifacts that need to be preserved. During one of these trips, Emily and Joel are kidnapped. Jon Garrett has been recruited by the CIA for the rescue.

I liked Garrett. I thought it was really sweet what Garrett will do for Emily. I liked that he gave her space when she needed it, even if it goes against his take charge, protective nature. I actually liked Emily, mostly because she's not TSTL. She's not as annoying as some of the other Iris Johansen's heroines, who rushes headstrong into stupid situations, not caring that they are TSTL. Emily is more reasonable, which is a nice change.

The problems I had with this book is the plot, which is a bit thin. The bad guy is pretty one dimensional. It seemed like the author couldn't decide if the plot should go a little paranormal or just plain outrageous. In the end, it felt surreal. I didn't get the same sense of urgency as some of the other books I've read.

Overall: C

Awesome Sookie Stackhouse Contest

@ Melissa's Bookshelf: http://www.melissas-bookshelf.com/2009/06/huge-sookie-stackhouse-giveaway.html

I love the Sookie Stackhouse series. In fact, I am signing up for Netflix just so I can watch the True Blood series. It would be great to re-read the series again.

Also on Vox.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper (also on Vox)

I enjoyed my first introduction to Molly Harper. In fact, I think this is her first novel. Good debut.

Jane Jameson has just been fired from her position as librarian by her old-bat of a boss. After some feeling sorry for herself drinks and a nice chat with a handsome stranger, Jane's car breaks down on her way home. She is then mistaken for a deer, shot by a drunk and left for dead. Luckily, she wakes up as one of the undead. Now she has to deal with Gabriel (her hot sire), Zeb (her BFF), her family (including her dad, crazy mom and insane sister), her (dead) Aunt Jettie, AND someone seems to be framing her for all sorts of unpleasantness.

Jane is an overall likeable character. I liked that she is a librarian with a constant thirst of knowledge and useless bits of trivia and she has a sense of humor. Her relationship with her family is not the best. While her dad is supportive, her mom and sister sound truly unpleasant. She has a solid relationship with her BFF Zeb, who surprisingly is not gay. However, my problem with Jane is she can be a little too zany and quirky. She reminds me of Lorelai from Gilmore Girls, who, while cute and adorable, is somehow emotionally more immature than her 16 year old daughter. The Gabriel character is not very well-developed. I liked what I know of him so far, but he's pretty one dimensional - turn Jane, like Jane, puts up with Jane despite her craziness.

Overall, it was a pretty entertaining read. I would pick up the next book (of course there is a next book) at the library again.

Overall: B-.

Yikes!

Has it really been 3 months since my last post? I truly admire real bloggers like my friend Janicu and all the other blogs I follow. It takes time and dedication to maintain a well-written blog. I suppose I'm more of a fair-weathered blogger myself. However, I shall endeavor to post more regularly!

This post is not about anything in particular though. I've been pondering keeping a TBR list. Tips? I read so many reviews on various blogs. For example, I just read a positive reviews on The Good, The Bad, and The Unread on A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore. I remember reading another good review on this book earlier on some other blog. So I'm now tempted to try it. But it's not at the library. Boo. So I will have to remember it the next time I go to a bookstore or shop @ Amazon, which I never do.

So readers (if I have any other than Janicu!), how do you keep your TBR? General list, excel spreadsheet, online, in your head? I'm thinking of a simple table with book name, author name, and a link to the review or source that got my interest. I will probably keep it online so I can easily reference it and easily link to the reviews. But we shall see.

Now I'm off. Gotta get ready to attend 2 weddings today!

Also on Vox.