Next Up For Review

Next Up For Review
The Center Cannot Hold, Elyn Saks

Friday, April 29, 2011

Bound to Enjoy


Happy Friday!
It would be much happier if the sun would decide to peek out from behind the clouds for a day. I've been using the dreary days as motivation to plant my big behind in my writing chair. Truth be told, I'd be just as happy to plant it in the sun & write, should spring ever decide to swoop in. What gives, Mother Nature?
Big news on the Elsie Love blog; but first let's get to the review of the week.


1.Bound to Love, Sally Clements.
Oh la-la. What a steamy, dreamy, thrill ride. A romance, rated on the 'softer' side (meaning the details of the encounters between the main characters are juicy but not overly detailed ie erotica. Yes, I need to clarify--not everyone reads according to how many roses or hot peppers or whatever ratings the publisher uses). Well, it sure got my juices flowing. It. Was. Hot. 

Here's the synopsis via Amazon.com:

Jake Forrester, a controlled, self-reliant security expert scarred by his father's murder, is pursuing his goal of an independent life, relying on himself and logic, until he's forced to accept the help of an impulsive, spirited goldsmith who follows her instincts, wherever they may lead. When Tempest MacKenzie witnesses a gorgeous stranger being bundled into a van, she tries to help him, but becomes tangled in a complex web of intrigue. Tempest finds stubborn Jake attractive, compelling and infuriating, his logic the complete antithesis of her reliance on her instincts. And Jake is fascinated and attracted to the feisty redhead. As they spend time together trying to thwart a heist at the British Museum, the attraction between them flares out of control. The thief has a grudge against Jake, and danger stalks their every move. Will Jake learn to trust Tempest's intuition, before it's too late?

Sounds like your typical romance, right? I wouldn't know, I think the last romance novel I read was in the early nineties and all memories of the event have been erased. So here's my break down of the book:

A. The cover: Yum. A++. The cover artist deserves a standing ovation. I've always felt I was supposed to be a red head of the Copper family, so maybe I'm a bit overzealous in my love; but really...look at it! It screams "good book here!"


B. The Plot/Story: B I enjoyed it. It was fun. It was hot. It made me want to build a fire with my husband or jet of to Paris.There was a turn or two that wasn't over the top obvious to me, which earns the book bonus points. I hate knowing every twist and turn from page one. I did find the beginning (which is supposed to be the big draw you in part) a little too cheesy. Jake & Tempest feel a connection that is so overpowering. I would have liked a little more conflict in the beginning working towards the intensity as opposed to instant attraction followed by questioning. 
Overall, it was very well written story. Kudos Ms. Clements, very nice work!


C. Overall Grade: A Caveat: if you are a romance reader, this will be a solid A or an A+. If you are a bits and pieces sampler it will be in the A- to B- range due to the fact that as a romance book, you will find some of the facets to be a little bit out there. I add the second rating only for those that aren't romance readers & are considering a cross over. A summer fling, a juicy dip on the European side...whatever you'd call it. 
The thrill of the heist/kidnapping/craziness rates in the B range...romance in the A range. Make sense?
Overall a great little read. I would recommend you give it a whirl. Currently the book is selling for $3.99 for the Kindle Version on Amazon. Worth the chump change, for sure. Pick it up!


2. New Ratings System (big news)
I'm dropping stars as a ratings system. Maybe it's because as a writer I'm drawn to letters. Maybe it's because I'm a free spirit and I don't want to be penned in by a 'ratings system' that leaves no room for free will. Maybe it's because having to stick stars on my blog creates another tool bar that detracts from the reviews...maybe all three. At any rate I'm now going with letter ratings. 
A=Awesome 
B= A good solid read 
C= Okay, nothing super special 
D= pretty big flaws in story & technique/ and or not really enjoyable 
F= a waste of time & money. 
Got it? Good. Moving on....


3. Follow Friday.
 As always, I'm a little late to the party. I'm working on joining the Follow Friday Blog hop craze to increase my list of followers. There's a button somewhere on the side bar. Find it, add it to your blog, follow me & I'll follow you. It's a little nutty, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.
When I hit the big 5-0 on the followers bar I will host a book giveaway.

That's it folks. I've got nothing else to report. Stay tuned for next week's review:

Painted in a Corner
 by Autumn Dickinson


Cheers!

10 comments:

  1. You're the best Elsie! I think the new rating system is great. I also think the Bound to Love cover is fantastic, love it!

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  2. Hi, Elsie. Thank you for visiting and becoming a follower. I'm now returning the favor. I don't blame you on the Kindle. I know I'd take my Nook with me! Hope you have a great weekend.

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  3. Hi Elsie,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    I love yours and I'm following you too.
    By the way, I've just added Bound to Love to my TBR. Thanks for the review.

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  4. I like the idea of your new ratings system, I always struggle with the idea of how to rate things myself. I'm probably not as consistent as I should be either.

    I really would recommend People of the Book if you get a chance, it's a great read. And I definitely agree that we need more multi-faith tolerance.

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  5. To check out which books I’d pack and to follow me back (I’m following you now from Follow Friday) check out My Follow Friday post

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  6. Thanks for the lovely review, Elsie!

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  7. Hello there! I like your rating system. :) I am your newest follower also and I hope you'll take the time to stop by my blog and follow me too! Thanks and I hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far.

    -Sandra from http://sandrathenookworm.blogspot.com

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  8. I love, love, love my NookColor. B&N isn't as great of a company compared to Amazon though, so that can be annoying if you ever need customer service. However, the device itself is so wonderful! My dad has a Kindle too, so I'm familiar with both. Anyway, if you want to know my favorite things about it, I posted a blog a long time ago about it. http://sandrathenookworm.blogspot.com/2011/03/reasons-to-get-your-first-e-reader-and.html

    Thanks for stopping by and ttyl! :)

    -Sandra from http://sandrathenookworm.blogspot.com

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  9. Thanks for the super review, Elsie. Wow!

    And the cover is by The Cover Factory (headed by Chris Hamilton-Emery). He's an absolute design genius. Check out other yummy covers by him at Salt Publishing.

    Jx

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