Review: Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas

Synopsis: Their marriage lasted only slightly longer than the honeymoon—to no one’s surprise, not even Bryony Asquith’s. A man as talented, handsome, and sought after by society as Leo Marsden couldn't possibly want to spend his entire life with a woman who rebelled against propriety by becoming a doctor. Why, then, three years after their annulment and half a world away, does he track her down at her clinic in the remotest corner of India? Leo has no reason to think Bryony could ever forgive him for the way he treated her, but he won’t rest until he’s delivered an urgent message from her sister—and fulfilled his duty by escorting her safely back to England. But as they risk their lives for each other on the journey home, will the biggest danger be the treacherous war around them—or their rekindling passion? (from the back of the book)

Review: This story intrigued me, and I was not disappointed. The characters are well-rounded, flawed and have a real feel. The plot is good, and I enjoyed the use of real histroical events as a backdrop. My qualm with the novel was the frequent use of sex as interactions between the hero and heroine. It caught me off guard, and felt gratuitous. However, aside from that, the story has a marvelous, sigh-worthy ending, one I enjoyed more then most books.

Prude Note: The sex scenes are early, frequent and sometimes graphic. Despite the good story, this may not be the book for you if you wish to avoid extensive sex scenes.

Bookmarks: 6 of 10

Awards: 2010 Rita Award for Best Historical Romance

Date Finished: 7-22-2012
Pages: 340

Review: Unclaimed by Courtney Milan

Synopsis: Handsome, wealthy and respected, Sir Mark Turner is the most sought-after bachelor in all of London—and he's known far and wide for his irreproachable character. But behind his virtuous reputation lies a passionate nature he keeps carefully in check...until he meets the beautiful Jessica Farleigh, the woman he's waited for all his life. But Jessica is a courtesan, not the genteel lady Sir Mark believes. Desperate to be free of a life she despises, she seizes her chance when Mark's enemies make her an offer she can't refuse: seduce Mark and tarnish his good name, and a princely sum will be hers. Yet as she comes to know the man she's sworn to destroy, Jessica will be forced to choose between the future she needs…and the love she knows is impossible (from the back of the book)

Review: As the second in Milan's Turner Series, I would have read this one on the strength of the first alone. However, the premise intrigued me and I was interested to see how she handled it. I was not disappointed. Milan did a superb job of making Mark chaste without being a prude. I would highly recommend this book as a satisfying read, unusual in a good way.

Prude Notes: The first two sex scenes are masturbation, although there is not actual body parts described. Those, along with the two regular sex scenes, are easy to avoid. However, given that the whole story hinged on the hero being a virgin, you might not want to avoid some of them.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None

Date Finished: 7-20-2012
Pages: 422

Review: Unveiled by Courtney Milan

Synopsis: Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family—and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance….
Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy—the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion (from the back of the book)
Review: This is my first Milan novel and I rather enjoyed it. Her characters are well-rounded, intriguing, flawed and witty. I enjoyed the plot, although occasionally it was a bit flippy-floppy for my task. In the end, this is a satisfing novel, one I would recommend.

Prude Notes: The sex scenes are ordinary and avoidable, and not important to the story.
Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 7-19-2012
Pages: 378

Review: How to Marry a Marquis by Julia Quinn

Synopsis: When James Sidwell, Marquis of Riverdale, offered to help Elizabeth Hotchkiss find herself a husband, he never dreamed that the only candidate he could propose would be himself. (from the amazon description)
Review: As with all Quinn books, this one is delightful. Full of wit, humor, romance and love, the story follows a young girl torn between her heart and her family. The secondary characters are marvelous, as always and I enjoyed seeing the hero and heroine from To Catch a Heiress appear. I highly recommned as a light, summer read.

Prude Notes: The sex is sweet and ordinary, and easy to avoid if you wish too. The story won't be affected.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10
Awards: None
Date Finished: 7-16-2012
Pages: 375

Review: On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer

Synopsis: Joel dares his best friend, Tony, to a swimming race in a dangerous river. Both boys jump in, but when Joel reaches the sandbar, he finds Tony has vanished. How can he face their parents and the terrible truth? (from the back of the book)

Review: This is a sad, hard story. However, it's a good book, one that would be excellent to help someone through the death of a loved one, particularly a death one might feel guilty over. It's a quite read, but leaves a mark.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: 1987 Newbery Honor Award

Date Finished: 7-11-2012
Pages: 90

Review: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Synopsis: Ten-year-old Caitlin's word had always been black and white. Anything else was confusing; but her brother, Devon, helped her understand. Then tragedy struck, and now nothing makes sense. As a girl with Asperger's syndrome, Caitlin turns to what she does know - textbooks and dictionaries. And after reading the definition of close, she realizes that this is what everyone needs. In her search for closure, she discovers that black and white are surrounded by shades of gray, and that those are beautiful and necessary for healing. (from the back of the book)

Review: This is a marvelous book. I laughed out loud several times, and cried at the end. Yes, cried. Written from the viewpoint of a child dealing with Asperger's, it gives an excellent perspective, one many of us might learn from. I highly recommend this book - in particular if you know someone with Asperger's, and wish to learn more about how they see the world.

Bookmarks: 8 of 10

Awards: 2010 U.S. Nationa Book Award for Young People's Literature

Date Finished: 7-10-2012 
Pages: 235

Review: Ravyn's Flight by Patti O'Shea

Synopsis: Communications specialist Ravyn Verdier is on a mission to test the habitability of Jarved Nine when her team is mysteriously killed. Sent to rescue her, commander Damon Brody becomes stranded on the planet with her. Trapped on a world harboring an unimaginable evil, Ravyn and Damon must depend on one another--and they discover love is the only force strong enough to battle their unseen enemy. (from the back of the book)

Review: This is a well-done sci-fi romance. I enjoyed the world-building (and the subtle references to things from our time that carried over), the romance was a little hokey, but not enough to ruin the story, and I enjoyed the romance between the secondary characters. The story is fact-paced and well-written, although I could have done without the mystical stuff. In the end, if you are looking for good sci-fi romance (which is hard to find) this is a good choice. I will be reading more of her work.

Prude Note: There are several sex scenes, all of which can be avoided if you wish. One, however, is important to understand the romance between the secondary characters, but not so important that skipping will ruin the story.

Bookmarks: 7 of 10

Awards: None

Date Finished: 7-8-2012
Pages: 312