Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Recently Read - Vol. 14 (Nov. '16)


It's the second Tuesday of the month!  Time to link up with Steph and Jana for their monthly book review roundup, Show Us Your Books.

November was an okay month for me in terms of reading.  I'm still in a slump, but at least I'm reading.  I haven't quit, damnit, and that's what counts!  Right? 

Without further ado, here are the books I read last month:


Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
Read: November 1-10 | Format: Audiobook | My Rating: 3/5

I get a hankering for a romance novel involving men in kilts several times a year.  Although, to the best of my recollection, I don't recall the mention of a kilt anywhere in this book, I envisioned the men wearing them, none-the-less.

As far as romance novels go, this one struck a good balance between intriguing plot and hot, romantic scenes, if you catch my drift.

*If you like romances of this nature, I would recommend it.


Tourist Season by Carl Hiaasen
Read: November 11-22 | Format: Audiobook | My Rating: 3/5

Description from Goodreads:  The only trace of the first victim was his Shriner's fez washed up on the Miami beach. The second victim, the head of the city's chamber of commerce, was found dead with a toy rubber alligator lodged in his throat. And that was just the beginning... Now Brian Keyes, reporter turned private eye, must move from muckraking to rooting out murder, in a caper that will mix football players, politicians, and police with a group of fanatics and a very hungry crocodile.

I'm a fan of Hiaasen's noir humor and there were definitely a few moments during Tourist Season in which I honestly laughed out loud.  Given that Tourist Season was first published in 1986, it was also very much like an 80s time capsule (phone booths, Jane Fonda's workout on VHS).  I found this to be quite entertaining as well.  But, overall, Tourist Season lacked something and I'm not sure what.  It didn't pack the punch that I'm accustomed to (based on the other Hiaasen books I've read).

*If you are a Hiaasen fan, then you may want to check this out.  If you are new to Hiaasen's work, pass on this book and check out some of his other books instead.


Under Locke by Mariana Zapata
Read: November 27-December 10 | Format: Audiobook | My Rating: 2.5/5

Just as I get a hankering every once in while for a romance novel involving a man wearing kilt (see above), I also get a similar hankering periodically for a romance novel that features an alpha male riding a Harley.  


I had very high hopes for this book, very high.  With a 4.11 average rating on Goodreads and an average rating of 4.3 on Audible, I truly anticipated that Under Locke would...  rock my world.  

It didn't.

Why didn't it rock my world?  Well, let me count the reasons.  One, this book comes in at whopping 16 hours (audiobook format).  In my experience, this is just too long for an MC romance novel.  Two, although I initially appreciated the slow, gradual buildup of sexual tension between the two main characters, Iris and Dex, when I reached the halfway point and NOTHING had happened between them, I started to lose interest.  Three, this book was too wordy.  Four, the story is told from the female character's point of view.  Iris' overuse of rhetorical questions worked my nerves as did her use of stupid phrases such as "son of a biscuit eater."  Yes, she actually said in the book.  Do I really need to continue?

*I can't in good conscience recommend this book because it annoyed me that bad.  I'm actually surprised that I stuck with it until the very end.


-|-

What have you read lately?  Anything that you would highly recommend?

As always, thanks for stopping by!



Linking up with Steph and Jana 

17 comments:

  1. I've tried Hiaasen a few times and haven't clicked with any of his books.

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    1. Yeah, I remember you mentioning that once before, I think. I think it was you. Hell, I don't know! LOL! Truly believe that when it comes to his books, that you like his books or don't. There is no middle ground.

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  2. never seduce a scot is on my list because i totally get that same hankering every now and again.
    definitely skipping under locke because 'son of a biscuit eater'? no thanks lol

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    1. Seriously, the lead character said that! I was listening to it while on a walk in the park and I stopped dead in my tracks and rewound it to make sure I heard her right. I was like... "really?" Later, she said friggin' and fucking in the same sentence. I thought, "What are you...like 12 or something?" It really worked my nerves.

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  3. I read lots of Maya Banks back when romance (particularly *hot* romances) was my favorite genre. But somehow I must have missed her books featuring hot scots in kilts (and yes, you should always envision them in kilts). I adding it to my TBR for when the mood strikes me. :D

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    1. I like that - we should always envision them in kilts! AMEN! Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. I feel like no matter what if I'm reading a book set in Scotland then I picture the guys in kilts too! I haven't ever read a Carl Hiassan book before, so I'll have to check out Tourist Season! I kind of love it when books transport you back in time a little bit!

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    1. No, no! Don't bother with Tourist Season. I would recommend Skinny Dip or Strip Tease.

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  5. I've read a few books by Maya Banks and liked them. Yes, they definitely have hot, steamy romance scenes!!! I've read a couple Hiaasen books and just am not a fan of his.

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    1. I've discovered that there are typically two camps with Hiassen - like his stuff or don't like it. There is no in between or middle ground. HIs noir humor definitely is not for everyone. Thank you for stopping by!

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  6. Yay for fun romance novels! Sometimes I need some of those in my life. :)

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    1. I know the feeling! I don't read them often, although I've read more as of late. But, when I do, I have very specific tastes. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. Like you said, at least you're reading, right? I haven't read any of these- but thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    -Lauren

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  8. The fact that MC romance is a genre is both amusing and confusing to me. I feel like SOA should have left a different kind of legacy..

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    1. True. Of all the ones I've read, no character has ever come close to Jax Teller.

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