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bonnieju

Bonnie's Books

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A Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin
The Bitter Kingdom - Rae Carson All good things must come to an end, and The Bitter Kingdom is the perfect ending to an amazing series. I thoroughly enjoyed Elisa's journey from timid princess to fierce warrior queen! The characters were so well developed that after I read the last page I immediately began to miss them! The Fire and Thorns series is such a breath of fresh air, and there is nothing I can add to the well deserved praise this series has already received. I'm looking forward to Carson's next series!
Warm Bodies: A Novel - Isaac Marion I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

This took me so long to read because I actually forgot that I was reading it! The middle dragged and I really didn't like any of the characters. I should have known that Warm Bodies wasn't for me when someone described it as Romeo and Juliet with zombies (I would have preferred Romeo eats Juliet!). Whenever anything is described as "Romeo and Juliet" I usually run the other way, but since I won a copy I had an obligation to read it. When it comes to zombies I prefer brain dead monsters over romantic philosophers who like Frank Sinatra. The first few chapters were pretty good but by the time R left the airport the charm had worn off. I though it was nice to have a different take on zombies, but halfway through I was hoping for some nice, gory head shots! Where is Daryl when you need him? The romance was cheesy and I couldn't get over the fact that R is a stinking zombie...yuck. The second half of the story was terrible, like the author had no idea how to end his story and just let love solve everything. It's a shame, since the first part of the book had a lot of potential.

I can see why so many people love this book, but it just wasn't for me. The boring, cliché characters, gaping plot holes and lack of explanations left me cold. Please don't tell me that the entire world will be saved because R and Julie fell in love...that their love will cure the zombie plague...ugh. No wonder it was recommended by Stephenie Meyer. Maybe it will all be explained in the sequel, but I won't be reading it.
Fruits Basket, Vol. 23 - Natsuki Takaya I adore this series, and the ending is perfect. So sweet and sappy and melodramatic...I loved every second of it! I'm glad I took a chance on the first volume so many years ago. If you are just getting into shojo manga, Fruits Basket is an essential classic.
The Sweetest Dark - Shana Abe I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

When a book is compared to Libba Brays' Gemma Doyle series, it better deliver the goods. But The Sweetest Dark is just another typical YA paranormal romance, complete with a love triangle. I liked the fact that this was set during WWI, a setting you don't normally see in YA. It's also nice to run across a YA paranormal with no vampires or werewolves whatsoever! The beginning of the book is a little rocky and skips over the most defining period in Lora's life entirely. If a character has been locked in an asylum, I want all the horrible, juicy details! If you're a huge fan of YA paranormal romance you'll probably enjoy The Sweetest Dark. If not, you may want to steer clear.
What Happens in Scotland - Jennifer McQuiston I received a copy from a goodreads giveaway.

McQuiston's debt novel "What Happens in Scotland" is a funny historical romance with a great cast of characters. When Georgette, a wealthy widow, wakes up after a night of drunken excess she finds herself not only in bed with a stranger but also married to him! Together Georgette and James must piece together what really happened that wild night. A sweet, fluffy novel that will appeal to romantic comedy fans.
The Obituary Writer - Ann Hood I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I wanted to like this book more than I did but it just wasn't for me. It's a lovely little story dealing with two women in very different time periods and how they deal with grief and regret. I usually enjoy reading about women's issues but I didn't connect with the characters. However I liked Vivien the best and I found myself hurrying through Claire's story to get to Vivien's. Although not my cup of tea, I know a lot of people will love The Obituary Writer and it will probably become a popular book club selection.
Beauty and the Bounty Hunter - Lori Austin I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway and I'm glad I did because I would have never picked up a western romance on my own. Beauty and the Bounty Hunter was an unexpected surprise with exciting and finely developed characters, lots of action, and a very satisfying ending. I can't wait for Austin's next book in this series.
Waking Up with a Rake - Connie Mason, Mia Marlowe I won an advanced copy as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaway.

I'm new to the world of historical romance so this was my first introduction to Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe. Waking Up with a Rake is an enjoyable and fast-paced read with a twisty mystery that keeps you guessing. The characters, Rhys and Olivia, are witty and fun and I really liked their development. I wish the romance had been drawn out a little longer. I was having so much fun with Rhys and Olivia that I hated to let them go! An overall enjoyable book. I'll definitely keep up with this series.
The Nonsuch Lure - Mary M. Luke My grandmother read this back in the day and wanted me to find a copy for her. Unfortunately this book out of print but I did find a used copy and I’m glad I did. Reincarnation, historical mystery, and a love that spans over four hundred years! Following a lead from a journal found in a Williamsburg bookshop, Andrew Moffatt jets off to England to uncover a secret buried beneath the ruins of King Henry VIII’s opulent Nonsuch Palace. Through past life regression Andrew learns that he has lived twice before and that he is bound to the beautiful Chloe Cuddington whose ancestral lands were taken by King Henry VIII.

Luke’s descriptions of 16th and 17th century England are lovely. However the romance side of the story could have been fleshed out more, especially for two souls so madly and deeply in love. I also wish we could have gotten a little more from all three incarnations of Chloe. We never really get to “know” her except that she is extraordinarily beautiful. Overall The Nonsuch Lure is a fun, enjoyable book and should appeal to fans of historical and time-travel romances (although no actual time-travel occurs).