The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, Julia Quinn

At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her — until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart.

And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.

Another cute Regency Romance from Julia Quinn. This one had a little bit more angst in the mix than my favorites but I really liked Miranda and Nigel. Miranda in particular was pretty hilarious. I just like my romances fluffy and funny with little to no angsty stress. So this was enjoyable but not a favorite for me. And having read What Happens in London first of all the Julia Quinn I've been reading I can't remember if Miranda and Nigel are mentioned in that one... I definitely remember Olivia though! I'll have to go check. 

A Dance Through Time, Lynn Kurland

This was a really cute and fast reading book that I blew through last night after Nora and my late night 30 Rock marathon. So I was pretty delirious while reading but I liked it! And the whole time I kept thinking this is what Outlander should have been. This was satisfying and romantic but with  nothing creepy or gross and no insane plot threads (and superfluous thousands of pages). I was happy that the library had this one and now I'll have to check for more from Lynn Kurland.

The Reckoning, Kelley Armstrong

My name is Chloe Saunders. I'm fifteen, and I would love to be normal.
But normal is one thing I'm not.
For one thing, I'm having these feelings for a certain antisocial werewolf and his sweet-tempered brother—who just happens to be a sorcerer—but, between you and me, I'm leaning toward the werewolf.
Not normal.
My friends and I are also on the run from an evil corporation that wants to get rid of us—permanently.
Definitely not normal.
And finally, I'm a genetically altered necro-mancer who can raise the dead, rotting corpses and all, without even trying.
As far away from normal as it gets. 

I was so excited when this book was delivered this week! This is one of my absolute favorite YA series and I have been anticipating reading this concluding book ever since last year. And happily, I wasn't disappointed at all. I love the suspense and the action. It makes for a fast read but a very entertaining one. Lots of questions were answered in this book and most importantly to me I got my happy ending just the way I wanted. This is one of those times that if the book hadn't ended in the way I was hoping it would have filled me with some serious rage. Thankfully, I got to sigh happily when I turned the last page. But now I'm sad that I have no more Chloe and Derek to read... maybe we'll get some grownup Chloe & Derek in another book someday. I'll keep my fingers crossed and in the mean time I'll be rereading.

Splendid, Julia Quinn

There are two things everyone knows about Alexander Ridgeley. One, he's the Duke of Ashbourne. And two, he has no plans to marry anytime soon...

That is until a redheaded American throws herself in front of a carriage to save his young nephew's life. She's everything Alex never thought a woman could be—smart and funny, principled and brave. But she's a servant, completely unsuitable for a highborn duke—unless, perhaps, she's not quite what she seems...

American heiress Emma Dunster might be surrounded by Englishmen, but that doesn't mean she intends to marry one—even if she has agreed to participate in one London Season. When she slipped out of her cousins' home, dressed as a kitchen maid, all she wanted was one last taste of anonymity before her debut. She never dreamed she'd find herself in the arms of a dangerously handsome duke... or that he'd be quite so upset when he discovered her true identity. But true love tends to blossom just when one least expects it, and passion can melt even the most stubborn of hearts.

 This was such a cute book! This is Julia Quinn's first novel and it is just as fun as her others I've been devouring this spring. I am going to be really sad when I run out of her books to read. I'm hanging onto my remaining Jill Mansell books for the same reason. Its so comforting to have reliable mood lifting books around for the inevitable cranky moods I end up in. 

I love the romance and the happy endings in these books but my favorite parts are always the funny conversations between the characters. Alex and Emma had some hilariously entertaining conversations in this one.

Emma: Reading Notes

"She had always wanted to do everything, and had made more progress both in drawing and music than many might have done with so little labour as she would ever submit to. She played and sang; -- and drew in almost every style; but steadiness had always been wanting; and in nothing had she approached the degree of excellence which she would have been glad to command, and ought not to have failed of." (p.56)

I so relate to wanting to do everything but not necessarily the work involved in doing everything.

"It is very pretty," said Mr. Woodhouse."So prettily done! Just as your drawings always are, my dear. I do not know any body who draws so well as you do. The only thing I do not thoroughly like is, that she seems to be sitting out of doors, with only a little shawl over her shoulders -- and it makes one think she must catch cold."
"But, my dear papa, it is supposed to be summer; a warm day in summer. Look at the tree."
"But it is never safe to sit out of doors, my dear."(p.61)

Mr. Wodehouse is definitely my favorite character in Emma. That made me laugh.
Chapters 7 & 8 brought out a lot of my Emma bashing. She really is incredibly self-centered and obnoxious. I realize there wouldn't be much of a story if Harriet had just accepted Mr. Martin the first time but it galls me reading how Emma manipulates her and then goes on to stubbornly brag about it to Mr. Knightley. Ick. She is such a bad friend.

"Her views of improving her little friend's mind, by a great deal of useful reading and conversation, had never yet led to more than a few first chapters, and the intention of going on to-morrow. It was much easier to chat than to study; much pleasanter to let her imagination range and work at Harriet's fortune, than to be labouring to enlarge her comprehension or exercise it on sober facts; and the only literary pursuit which engaged Harriet at present, the only mental provision she was making for the evening of life, was the collecting and transcribing all the riddles of every sort that she could meet with, into a thin quarto of hot-pressed paper, made up by her friend, and ornamented with cyphers and trophies." (p.87)

Amen to chatting versus studying! I probably should be more concerned about what mental provisions I'm making for the evening of my own life as well.

"And then their uncle comes in, and tosses them up to the ceiling in a very frightful way!"
"But they like it, papa; there is nothing they like so much. It is such enjoyment to them, that if their uncle did not lay down the rule of their taking turns, which ever began would never give way to the other."
"Well, I cannot understand it."
"That is the case with us all, papa. One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other." (p.101)

The Clearing, Heather Davis

Amy, a sixteen-year-old recovering from an abusive relationship, moves to the country to start a new life with her aunt–all she wants is for everything to be different. In the clearing at the back of Aunt Mae’s property, she makes an amazing discovery—Henry, a boy stuck in the endless summer of 1944. Henry and his world become Amy’s refuge and she begins to learn that some moments are worth savoring. But when the past and present come crashing together, both of them must find the courage to face what is meant to be, even if it means losing each other forever.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I liked it much more than Heather Davis' previous book, Never Cry Werewolf. There was romance and mystery in the story and I really loved Henry. The whole thing had quite a melancholy tone to it but not in a kill yourself now kind of way. It was in a bittersweet crying in the movie theater kind of way. I am usually completely inflexible in my stance on happily ever afters but this one was perfectly done. It reminded me of The Silver Kiss and this:



I wish there was more to read in this story but the length was perfect as it is. I woudn't love it as much if it was dragged out any further. Sigh!

Laziness Reading Round Up

I have been reading a lot of silly stuff- a good mixture of trashiness and fluffiness. I have been so stressed and tired that I haven't been equipped to read anything on a deeper level and I certainly haven't been equipped to write anything about anything. So here is my attempt to record something about what I've been reading in the mean time.

These were a bit tiresome to read. I have such a weakness for series books and even when I am not really into it I feel compelled to keep reading in case things get better or because I'm so irritated at the amount of time I have already invested reading. This series reminds me of The Vampire Diaries or the Alyson Noel Immortals series... obviously not completely terrible because I keep reading but at times very annoying. I do really like the font the titles are in though. And for what its worth the first book, Evernight, is definitely the best one. Some day when I have more vigor for life I am going to rank all the YA supernatural series I've read.


On the other hand, the Scarlett Wakefield series is completely awesome! Clever, addictive, & suspenseful, I had so much fun reading these and I can't wait for the third one to come out. In a way I was reminded (in a good way, really) of the Wags World novel I had just read what with the London environment and snotty rich teens with fun British slang. I really liked these!

I have developed a new addiction for regency romance novels. I was already into Georgette Heyer but Julia Quinn is my new best friend. I have now read 5 of her books and I adored 4/5. And I find it so comforting to know she is so prolific. Her books are funny and entertaining (obviously full of romance too) but they are also light hearted and relaxing to read. I can read one in 2 hours in the bathtub and feel so much better about life when I am done. I think of this batch my favorite is Brighter than the Sun with To Catch an Heiress in 2nd place. But really I loved all 3. I just wish I owned these pretty UK covers instead of the terrifying US versions.

And speaking of terrifying cover art... I despise the covers for the Mercy Watson series. And it makes me more mad because I LOVE these books. I was so excited for this book to come out. I was really spoiled by reading the first in this series when there were already a bunch of other books out. I hate waiting a year for the next book. Silver Borne was great though. I love Mercy and Adam's relationship. I loved where the story with Sam went... he needs his spinoff series now like Charles & Anna have. I would love to see more of Jessie, Adam's daughter, in these stories though. I think she & Mercy have a fun dynamic. One plus to this coming out in hardback is that I can just ixnay the dust jacket and not have to feel creepy reading this. It really is such a satisying series... I'm already thinking I need to start rereading.