(no subject)
I just finished the first book of the new year and new decade. I was feeling a little superstitious about my book choice--I wanted it to be good, to set the tone for the rest of the books to come. I had a hard time finding a book that appealed to me--I picked up several, read about thirty pages, and then set them down again. I finally went rummaging on the shelves in the hallway, hoping that maybe there was an old book I hadn't read, or a book that could be reread. I came up with Julie Garwood's Ransom. It was pretty dusty, meaning I bought it probably several years ago, but I couldn't remember having read it.
Julie Garwood can sometimes be hit-or-miss--she's written some books that were spectacular, and she's written some books that were utterly lacking in personality and sizzle. Still, in the absence of more Susan Elizabeth Phillips to read, or the third of Lisa Kleypas's Travis series, it seemed a good enough premise.
The book was wonderful. I started reading it last night and was up obscenely late before I finally forced myself to go to sleep. I woke up this morning and promptly resumed reading it. The characters were wonderful--the heroine was absolutely fierce and tough as nails without being the shrieking harpy that some strong female characters are; the hero was an alpha male who was funny as hell without trying to be, and a genuinely kind person. I actually said, "D'awwwwwwwww" several times throughout the book--one such instance being when the little boy they were trying to get home told Brodick that Gillian was scared of the dark, Gillian woke up and (as they were camping outside) was startled to discover that Brodick and all of his men had formed a big circle around her so she was surrounded wherever she looked, and thus, would feel safe. Tell me that's not adorable. In addition to Brodick and Gillian, you get Ramsey and Brigid, who are entertaining in their own right, though Brodick and Gillian's story takes center stage.
So, an excellent book, and an excellent start to the literary new year. Daddy and I are going to go to Barnes & Noble soon to spend my giftcard, and with any luck I will return with similarly magnificent books.
Julie Garwood can sometimes be hit-or-miss--she's written some books that were spectacular, and she's written some books that were utterly lacking in personality and sizzle. Still, in the absence of more Susan Elizabeth Phillips to read, or the third of Lisa Kleypas's Travis series, it seemed a good enough premise.
The book was wonderful. I started reading it last night and was up obscenely late before I finally forced myself to go to sleep. I woke up this morning and promptly resumed reading it. The characters were wonderful--the heroine was absolutely fierce and tough as nails without being the shrieking harpy that some strong female characters are; the hero was an alpha male who was funny as hell without trying to be, and a genuinely kind person. I actually said, "D'awwwwwwwww" several times throughout the book--one such instance being when the little boy they were trying to get home told Brodick that Gillian was scared of the dark, Gillian woke up and (as they were camping outside) was startled to discover that Brodick and all of his men had formed a big circle around her so she was surrounded wherever she looked, and thus, would feel safe. Tell me that's not adorable. In addition to Brodick and Gillian, you get Ramsey and Brigid, who are entertaining in their own right, though Brodick and Gillian's story takes center stage.
So, an excellent book, and an excellent start to the literary new year. Daddy and I are going to go to Barnes & Noble soon to spend my giftcard, and with any luck I will return with similarly magnificent books.