Wandering the Archive

Deep within the archives of a home library, there lurks title upon title of books accrued over half (or more) a lifetime. Nobody knows just why a bookshelf grows out of proportion or why it needs to be expanded except... the bibliophile. And even then, she might have forgotten the reason somewhere along the way. But now, thanks to the intrepid explorer (my beau), these titles will slowly be unearthed and examined here for any who dare to wander into... DJL's personal archive.

What is it?

Mercenaries by Angela Knight (2005)

Trinity Yeager would rather die than be auctioned off as a bride to the freaks on Rapture's Colony. There is an alternative: Join Nathan August's star-hopping team of mercenary soldiers. The captain has one condition--that Trinity prove her resilience as the one-night plaything for him and his first officer, Sebastian Cole. Trinity not only sees Nathan's bet. She raises it...

From galactic dens of depravity to far-reaching planets of dominant females and strapping male slaves to the violent shadows of an unknown off-world, Trinity joins forces with Nathan and Sebastian to risk flesh and blood, and to push the boundaries of erotic adventure in order to protect, honor, and serve--in the name of duty.

Where did it come from?

This book came from the Recycled Bookstore in Denton.

Why did it get picked up?

Angela Knight was one of the first romance authors whose works I'd read. I thought this one would be fairly interesting since it was composed of 3 novellas taking place in a science fiction setting.

When was it read?

Either in 2006 or 2007, though I'm not sure of the exact time.

To whom should it be recommended?

Readers who enjoy romance with adventure... and a wee bit of domineering. (If you're looking for an alternative to Fifty Shades of Grey, I recommend this one.)

Will it be kept?

Yes, as it is my one remaining Angela Knight title in my collection (even if my beau does tease me now).

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door

Title:  Lola and the Boy Next Door
Author:  Stephanie Perkins
Pages:  338
Genre:  Young Adult Contemporary
Publisher:  Dutton Books
Obtained:  From Library
Summary:  Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion... she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

The Dish:  There's a reason why young adult contemporary novels are my go-to books when there is a break in my reading pattern.  YA contemporaries are light, generally funny, and readers just can't help becoming captured by the story.  Lola and the Boy Next Door definitely encompasses all of these traits and more, and I can totally see why so many readers adore Stephanie Perkins' writing style and characters.

Lola is one of the most free-spirited characters readers will find in a book, and I can relate to her whimsical way of creating because I am a costumer as well (though I don't do it on a daily basis like Lola).  She's also hardworking, a dutiful daughter, and a good best friend.  So I was rather dismayed to see her make such poor decisions when it seemed the going was getting rough whether it was with her boyfriend, her birth mother, and especially with Calliope and Cricket.  It's tough being a teenager so her reckless actions are justifiable... while also being selfish.  But she does manage to stay true to herself as she overcomes these stresses in her life.

I adored Cricket, his devotion to his family, especially his twin sister (even if she was a pain at times), his constant tinkering with mechanical devices, and his loyalty to Lola even when she didn't want a relationship with him.  He is just an overall nice guy that readers can't help but fall for, and I really want to smack the person who coined the phrase "Nice guys finish last."  Especially when you have an exhibit B like Lola's rocker boyfriend, Max.  This guy puts up with having Sunday brunch with Lola's two fathers, her ever-changing style, among other things.  I'm sorry, you don't "put up with" things that mean something to the girl you're supposed to care about.  He's bad news in a bad world, and no one should put up with that.

The story itself was cute and definitely heart-warming as Lola tries to sort through her jumbled feelings about so much in her life.  There were a few places in the book where I really wanted certain conflicts to be wrapped up a bit sooner than they were, but these things cannot be rushed.  Perkins certainly knows how to draw out a conflict, but she also knows how to wrap it up and give proper closure.  With such a cavalcade of quirky characters, readers will constantly smile while enjoying Lola and the Boy Next Door.

Book 7

Review: Dating the Undead by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe

Title:  Dating the Undead
Authors:  Gena Showalter & Jill Monroe
Pages:  160
Genre:  Paranormal, Supernatural Romance
Publisher:  Harlequin
Summary:  They're drop-dead handsome-and we're not kidding! Welcome to the first and only guide devoted to loving the immortal man in all of his furry, feathery, fiery glory. Here is a forbidden-fruit salad of features, fiction, fashion, and more, including: "Lipstick on His Collar: Is your immortal just a little bit immoral?"; "Angel in the Kitchen: Heavenly dishes that don't take an eternity to prepare"; "A Kiss is Not Just a Kiss: Immortals we crave divulge their lip-smacking turn-ons"; "Undead & Well-Read: What's hot between the covers this month"; "A View from a Guy: Zombie Jack's turn"; "Immorstrology: Our indispensible guide to heavenly bodies."

The Microwave Dish:  I adore Gena Showalter, and I could see her doing something off-the-wall like Dating the Undead.  It would be really fun to see unique "books" like it a bit more often especially from other authors in order to get their take.  Readers get hilarious advertisements, fantastical dating advice, even cocktail recipes in this gem of a magazine (that I sometimes wish was available in subscription just for the ads).  I thought the concept was unique, whimsical, and quite enjoyable.  Those who adore paranormal creatures or are avid Gena Showalter or Jill Monroe fans should get a real kick out of this title.

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title:  Everneath
Author:  Brodi Ashton
Pages:  370
Genre:  Supernatural Young Adult Literature
Publisher:  Balzer & Bray
Summary:  Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she's returned--to her old life, her family, her boyfriend--before she's banished back to the underworld... this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance--and the one person she loves more than anything. But there's just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's queen.

The Dish:  There's been a pattern in my recent reads (save one exception), and Brodi Ashton's debut is one of the most fascinating takes on mythology.  Not only does she recreate the Persephone myth, she also relates it (briefly) to the Egyptian myth of Osiris and Isis.  I definitely like the idea of bridging myths of different cultures and societies.

The storyline is written in two parts entwined together, what is happening now in the present after Nikki has Returned from the Everneath and what happened then before she was taken.  This form of storytelling is a unique way of revealing what happened in the past while also relating to Nikki's time on the Surface while "settling her affairs."  It is both this means of storytelling that really drew me into Everneath, making it a smooth read.

Nikki, Jack, and yes even Cole were the most riveting characters who easily moved the story along.  I felt for Nikki's situation even when I thought she had made some definite mistakes before going into the Everneath.  However, given her age, I would chalk that up to establishing her as a believable teenager who makes hasty decisions.  Jack also made some decisions that I questioned but I found him to be a wonderful young man.  The reader can doubtlessly see why it was his memory that Nikki clung to while in the Everneath.  Now we approach Cole.  Cole.  I could describe him in so many words and probably earn the ire of every girl who adored this bad boy.  So I won't mince words when I say, "What a jerk and how I would love to punch him in so many ways."  And that's all I'll say on him until I read the second book.

Overall, this was an excellent debut filled with dynamic characters, mystery plot and background, and an ending that will leave readers wanting more.  I would highly recommend Everneath to those who enjoy mythology-based literature and supernatural mysteries, and I'm waiting on pins and needles for what Brodi Ashton has in store for her readers in Everbound.

Book 3

TGIF (12): Love Stories

TGIF is a weekly meme created and hosted by Ginger of GReads! that recaps the week's posts and has a different question each week.

This week on Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes:

Top Ten Tuesday (34): Books I'd Hand Someone Who Says They Don't Like to Read

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Love Stories: What are some of your favorite fictional love stories?

Sam and Grace from Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

This will always be one of my favorite love stories just because of the lengths this couple goes to in order to be together. Plus, how can you not find Sam's reading of German poetry romantic and sigh-worthy?

Kyle and Lindy from Beastly by Alex Flinn

I am definitely a fan of fairytale re-tellings, and when that fairytale happens to be Beauty and the Beast, I'm usually all for it. This was definitely no different, and I'm happy to have read it.

Sayuri and Chairman Iwamura from Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

While this isn't a traditional love story, it is still one of my favorite romantic stories. Sayuri taking all of the steps to get to the Chairman, Iwamura taking the steps to help her along her path as a geisha. An almost sad romance, but still a romance nonetheless.

Yelena and Valek from Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

These two are just amazing together in so many ways. And considering how their relationship was started, I'd say that Yelena can really depend on Valek and vice versa.

Review: Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Title:  Ruby Red

Author:  Kerstin Gier

Genre:  Young Adult

Pages: 324

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co., LLC

Summary:  Sixteen-year-old Gwen lives with her extended--and rather eccentric--family in an exclusive London neighborhood. In spite of her ancestors' peculiar history, she's had a relatively normal life so far.  The time-traveling gene that runs like a secret thread through the female half of the family is supposed to have skipped over Gwen, so she hasn't been introduced to "the mysteries," and can spend her time hanging out with her best friend, Lesley, watching movies and talking about boys. It comes as an unwelcome surprise then when she starts taking sudden, uncontrolled leaps into the past. She's totally unprepared for time travel, not to mention all that comes with it: fancy clothes, archaic manners, a mysterious secret society, and Gideon, her time-traveling counterpart. He's obnoxious, a know-it-all, and possibly the best-looking guy she's seen in any century....

The Dish:  Time-travel seems to be gaining some serious momentum in the paranormal YA genre.  And why shouldn't it?  It's a thrilling theory to be sent back through the years to possibly some of the most exciting (if not dangerous) of time periods.  Not to mention keeping with the authenticity of the period with proper and beautiful attire.

I really enjoyed how large a part Gwyneth's family played within the overall scheme of the story.  So many books have the parents either not present or just playing as little a role as possible, having more cameo roles.  This is Gwyneth's story, but it's nice that her family members are more than just mentioned in the novel.  Granted, there are her family members that I don't really care for, but I'm hoping there will be further explanations in the next book, or if not, that these family members will fade into the background even more.

Gideon is something else, and despite his arrogance and know-it-all personality, I like him.  There's a bit of an adventurer in him, and I can't wait to see where that will take both him and Gwyneth in Sapphire Blue when it comes out next year.

There are so many mysteries involved in the story with the biggest one being what will happen with the closing of the Circle of Twelve?  And what is Lucy and Paul's part to play in in preventing this from happening?  There's so much to learn within the next two books, and I'm definitely hooked.  The release date for Sapphire Blue cannot get here sooner.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Love Stories in Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, a state that you don't have to worry about being deprived of more books as long as you're near a library. ;) This week's Top Ten is:

Top Ten Favorite Love Stories In Books

1.  Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Imagine being trapped within the icy grip of winter, always longing for and waiting for the warmth of the summer sun.  When you finally see the sunlight and feel it's glorious warm rays wrap around you, it just makes you want to catch the sunshine and hold tightly to it.  What person doesn't feel that wonderful emotion when they see their beloved?  That is Sam and Grace's story and more, especially when Sam is trapped in werewolf form by each winter's chill.

2.  Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
How far would you go to be with the one you loved?  What would you do in order to become one of those that is prized among other women?  Sayuri's story is one of a powerful love that does stretch over the course of her lifetime, and it is amazing to see her journey from being a poor fisherman's daughter to a maiko to a servant back to a maiko and finally a geisha. 

3.  The Nymph King by Gena Showalter
This is one book that I will say attracted me because of the cover.  For the longest time, I'd go past the Romance section to get to the Science Fiction/Fantasy section of the bookstore, but this cover always caught my eye.  Finally, I surrendered and bought my own copy and dove right in, loving the entirety of the story.  I knew right away that Shaye and Valerian would be together; it was only a matter of getting through the UST (Unresolved Sexual Tension).  However, it was the secondary story involving a love triangle between Joachim, Brenna, and Shivawn that drew my interest.  Watching Brenna have to choose between these two nymph warriors that are on totally opposite ends of the spectrum was intriguing, yet somehow I knew who she would choose in the end. 

4.  Gold Unicorn by Tanith Lee
The love story within Lee's Gold Unicorn is more on the subtle side, and I think that's what I appreciated about it.  While it is not the fiery passionate love readers would hope for, this soft-spoken love between the main character, Tanaquil (whom I adored from the prequel Black Unicorn), and Honj, a warrior in her half-sister's army as well as Lizra's betrothed.  As this is the second book in Lee's Unicorn trilogy, the overall resolution does not come until the third book, Red Unicorn.  I highly recommend all three books if you really love fantasy series with slight science-fiction undertones. 

5.  Dramacon by Svetlana Chmakova
This is one of my favorite manga (that's not originally from Japan) and the love story that plays out between main characters Christy and Matt.  The first part of the book is their first meeting, at an anime convention no less, the second part involves their struggles to express their feelings to one another, and the third part...well, you should really give the book a read! ;)

6.  Beastly by Alex Flinn
The fairytale of "Beauty and the Beast" is retold and updated in this young adult novel by Flinn.  I was a little surprise with Flinn's choice of a "plain-Jane" Beauty in Lindy, but by today's standards, having someone that is called "Beauty" would probably not have a heart as willing to love a beast.  Watching Kyle's transformation from rich, handsome snob to a beast with an actual caring heart was enjoyable, especially when he chose to change his name to Adrian.  Highly recommended to all who love the traditional story of "Beauty and the Beast."

7.  Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt
Sometimes searching for your true love can place a lot of pressure on a person.  And that pressure would be magnified ten-fold if that pressure comes from Lord Death himself.  Keturah is determined to find the one she is meant to be with in twenty-four hours, and while on this task she must assist her friends and neighbors as the king is coming to visit the village.  It isn't until Keturah is confronted by Lord Death once more in the presence of John Temsland, one that adores her, that she realizes who is indeed her true love. 

8.  Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
I will freely admit that from the moment I started this story, I did not care for Aiden, Vivian's human love interest.  Granted, there are times when I do appreciate the brooding man who is interested things of the dark.  For some reason, I just couldn't buy that Vivian and Aiden would be together, but it was fascinating to watch the story events unfold.  Klause manages to distinguish Vivian's school life from her pack life, which I found helpful especially when those lives seemed to draw ever closer and more entwined.  Although I was sad for Vivian when all the cards were laid on the table, I was thrilled when she was finally able to see the truth about who she was destined to be with as her love. 

9.  Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
This was one of my favorite classic plays to read in school, simply because of the anxiety I felt when it came to whether Roxane would indeed realize Cyrano's true feelings of love for her.  While it is his poetic words that are intended for her, these words come from the mouth of handsome Christian de Neuvillette and one with a less protruding proboscis (namely a big nose as is Cyrano's).  This love triangle is one worth reading, or watching if given the chance to see it performed upon the stage. 

10.  Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This is more of a familial love story, though there are several different love stories linked together within Little Women.  The main love stories seem to focus first on Jo and Laurie before she refuses him as a lover, Amy and Laurie after Amy has expressed that she will not be a substitute for her sister, and then Jo and Professor Friedrich.  More important to me than even these love stories is the wonderful love that all four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy share for one another, their mother and all who come into their lives as their family gradually grows beyond the Marches.

Sometimes It Takes the Unexpected to Find What You Really Need

Title:  The Accidental Werewolf

Author:  Dakota Cassidy

Summary:  Marty Andrews sure is having a bad week.  First, she’s bitten by a mangy mutt while walking her teacup poodle.  As a result, her salon-perfect blonde hair begins darkening by the day to something that’s sooo not in her color wheel.  Her moodswings have turned her into The Hormonal Hulk.  Worse yet, the hair on her legs is growing at a rate even a body slam into an entire vat of wax couldn’t cure.  Last, and most important, her dream job as a sales rep for Bobbie-Sue Cosmetics is going to hell in a handbasket…

The only high point is Keegan Flaherty, the drool-worthy man who shows up at her door.  Of course, he’s clearly insane.  Keegan claims that he accidentally bit Marty, and since he’s a werewolf, she is now, too.  Red meat cravings aside, Marty refuses to believe a word until a kidnapping makes her realize there’s more at stake than her highlights.  And she must put her out-of-control life in the hands of the man who makes her blood run wild in more ways than one…

The Dish:  Okay, I have a confession to make.  My guilty reading choice is paranormal romance novels.  Regular romance just doesn’t do much for me, there has to be the added element of the paranormal or supernatural to make a title in the Romance genre seem intriguing to me.  And I have been eying The Accidental Werewolf for quite some time now just because the summary roused my curiosity.  And the cover is quite eye-catching as well in a nice almost metallic purple.  If you sell or know someone who sells Mary Kay or Avon products, I’d recommend this little romp to them just for a lark. 

Marty is adorable in her own bizarre way, though she is quite obsessed with the color wheels of Bobbie-Sue Cosmetics.  With a company name like “Bobbie-Sue”, I’d almost expect her to be selling door-to-door in Georgia, Alabama, or another of the southern states.  But you have to admire a woman who knows what she wants and is determined to get it, and in Marty’s case, that desire is to obtain Sky Blue status as well as a sky-blue convertible that goes along with the rank.  Perhaps her goals are a bit material, but Marty is willing to put in the work hours, and beyond, in order to achieve that goal. 

It is when Keegan Flaherty enters the picture that the path to achievement becomes rather bumpy for Marty.  Being one to take responsibility for his actions, Keegan is determined to assist Marty’s transition into the life of a werewolf.  Even if he has to constantly lock horns with her to get her to focus.  As one would guess, he is the drop-dead, most gorgeous hunk you ever did see, but then again what main male character in a Romance novel isn’t?  I’ll admit it would be a nice change to have a bit of variety in the way of males, but Keegan has his merits.  And while Marty does get under his skin, he manages to get to her in ways that just make her ask a bunch of questions, which in turn drives him crazy.  It’s nice to see a couple with a healthy dose of mutual nuttiness. 

Overall the story is cute as Keegan takes Marty from New York City out to the Poughkeepsie area after someone attempts to kidnap her.  This is not only for her protection but also to introduce her to the life of the werewolf pack that has yet to have a human changed into a werewolf within the past few centuries.  I thought this was an intriguing idea of Cassidy’s since most other werewolf novels, whether romance or urban fantasy, usually have the werewolf gene transferred at least half the time through attacks on humans.  It seems as though while Keegan’s immediate family accepts Marty readily, the rest of the pack as well as the overseeing Lunar Council is slow to accept a virtual outsider within their midst.  I won’t spoil the story further, but I definitely enjoyed The Accidental Werewolf.