Month: February 2013

Review: Wait Until Dark by M.L. Buchman

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | 3 1/2 Stars> book reviews> Originally published at Book Lovers, Inc.> The Rocket Lover

15942606Format read: ebook provided by NetGalley
Series: Night Stalkers #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Military Romance
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Number of pages: 386 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Formats available: ebook, mass market paperback
Purchasing Info: Goodreads | Author’s Website | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Book Depository (US) | Book Depository (UK) | Publisher’s Website

Two Crack Mechanics, One Impossible Mission

Being in The Night Stalkers is Connie Davis’s way of facing her demons head-on, but mountain-strong John Wallace is a threat on all fronts. Their passion is explosive, but their conflicts are insurmountable. When duty calls them to a mission no one else could survive, they’ll fly into the night together—ready or not.

My Thoughts:
M.L. Buchman’s Night Stalkers series anticipated the U.S. military’s removal of the ban on women in combat positions by casting three women as warriors in the Night Stalker squadron in what I suspect is well ahead of actual events. Notice I said “combat positions” and not just “combat”. In the modern era of warfare, there is no defined front line. Women are serving in combat. They just haven’t been able to be recognized for it when promotions come around in these days of the “all-volunteer” army.
Somewhere in fiction-land, Sam Carter is smiling.
Each book in Buchman’s Night Stalkers series has focused on one of the four seats in a four-seater DAP Black Hawk helicopter. So far we’ve seen the pilot and the co-pilot find their HEAs. This time it’s the Chief Mechanic, Big John Wallace’s turn. Big John has been a mainstay of the crew so far, so it’s only fitting that he should finally get his chance at a happy ending.The thing about the story is that John really isn’t the point-of-view character. That position is reserved for Connie Davis, the temporary replacement mechanic taking over for Kee Stevenson while she’s on her honeymoon.mh-60l-dap-bg
And Connie is a closed book. We spend a lot of the story, not just waiting for dark, but waiting for Connie to open up a little, even to herself.

Connie is in a LOT of pain. Most of the Night Stalkers have something traumatic in the pasts, either the reason they strove so damn hard to join SOAR, or something that happened after they got there. But Connie is so closed off that she doesn’t let much daylight in, even in the privacy of her own head.

This story is a lot like jokes about being in the Army, “hurry up and wait”.

Connie refuses to get close to anyone. She refuses to let anyone close to her. And we really don’t know why. She doesn’t let herself feel anything. Again, the explanations are left unrevealed because she just won’t go there, even to herself.

While I admire Connie’s tenacity, it makes her damn frustrating as a heroine. Big John is also the strong, silent type. We’ve basically got two people who don’t talk much, even in the privacy of their own minds.

The way their relationship begins is that they are able to fix the helicopter without needing to ask each other for tools or parts–they are just that in sync. It scares her and intrigues him. But it doesn’t give us readers much to work with.

Then John takes Connie home with him on leave, not because he necessarily thinks they might start something, even though he’s finally begun to see her in that light…but because he’s finally gotten through her silent withdrawals to realize that the woman has absolutely nowhere to go. At all.

Never has, and has no expectation that she ever will. Connie has no belief that a soldier can have a future. John and his family teach her otherwise.

John finally gets it through her head, and her heart, that there’s a future worth fighting for.

And not just a mission worth dying for.

1963silverdollar Verdict: Unlike the first two Night Stalker books, this one had a surprisingly slow start. The action doesn’t pick up until John takes Connie home with him, and then it’s more about her reactions to his family than the romance.

There is a romance, but it’s of the slow and steadily developing kind. They do get there, but neither of them are people who wear their hearts on their sleeve. This story is a lot more about Connie coming to believe that love and happiness are something worth fighting for.

One of the best parts of this series as a whole is that the women are soldiers every bit as much as the men. There’s a scene in the book that gave me chills. John’s younger sister graduates ROTC and becomes an officer. Connie arranges to be the first enlisted person to salute her. It’s tradition. But instead of seeing an “old boy’s network”, we see an “old girl’s network” start to rise. Very cool.

photo 3-one-half-stars.pngI give  Wait Until Dark 3 and 1/2 shining stars! Somebody needs to salute!

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Review: Redeeming Vows by Catherine Bybee

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | B Reviews> blog tours> book reviews
Format read: ebook
Formats available: ebook, paperback
Genre: Time travel romance
Series: MacCoinnich Time Travels #3
Length: 299 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (first edition); Self-published (second edition)
Date Released: December 17, 2010 (first edition); January 12, 2013 (second edition)
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

For her own safety, modern day, single mom, Lizzy McAllister is forced to bow to the medieval men who surround her when she’s thrust back in time to the sixteenth century against her will. When Lizzy finds herself trapped in time with Fin, the one man she finds both irresistible and maddening, she agrees to combine forces with him to rid Scotland of the evil witch, Grainna.

Finlay MacCoinnich’s attraction to Lizzy sizzles the very air they breathe. Tearing down the solid walls the woman has built around her won’t be easy, but he’s willing to do anything to keep her by his side. When a spell cast by their deadliest foe throws them forward in time, will they manage to find their way back in time to save their family from peril? And will Lizzy willingly stay in his time, or abandon him altogether?

I’m starting to think that Catherine Bybee’s time travel romances are a form of biblioholic crack–endlessly addictive. I’m having a difficult time resisting the urge to dive into Highland Shifter. It’s book four(!) in the MacCoinnich Time Travel Trilogy (problem of the first part right there) and I highly suspect that there’s yet another trilogy in the offing. Or at least that this is the start of the next generation’s stories. And there were three, so I’m going to try to resist until they’re all done.

Write faster Catherine!

Redeeming Vows is the story I was pining for in the last third or so of Silent Vows (reviewed here) — it’s Fin and Lizzy’s story. This makes it the opposites attract vow. Or maybe the “meet in the middle” vow.

Lizzy is definitely a woman of the 21st century. She’s a single mother and proud of it. She has every reason to be. The only male in her life who has not abandoned her is her son, Simon. She’s had to learn to stand up for herself.

But like Tara, Lizzy has damn difficult time bending to 16th century realities when it comes to the relationships between the sexes. It’s harder for Lizzy, because she doesn’t arrive more than half in love with someone, and because she has no intention of staying.

Fate has other plans.

So does Fin MacCoinnich. And Fin also sees what Lizzy doesn’t. That her son Simon needs to be a boy with other boys. That it’s time for Simon to grow away from Lizzy’s protectiveness, no matter how well intentioned that protectiveness might be.

They strike sparks from each other from the first minute.

Fin has a lot to learn from Lizzy, too. When she becomes stuck in the 16th century, Lizzy is the first one to realize that the evil witch Grainna will not be overcome with swords and spears alone. Grainna is a witch, and it is with Druid power that they need to beat her. Women’s power, working together.

But it’s not until one of Grainna’s spells throws Fin and Lizzy together back/forward into the 21st century that Fin discovers just how strong Lizzy truly is. Or just how much he wants to keep her in his life.

The question is whether he can convince her of that, now that he knows just what she’s giving up.

Escape Rating B: While Redeeming Vows doesn’t quite hold the magic of Binding Vows (see review here) it still reads like a rollicking good time. And I loved that there were happy endings all around. But I’ll get back to that in a minute.

Lizzy and Fin’s on again/off again/on again romance was hotter than any Druid fire. They can’t stand each other, nor can they see each other’s point of view half the time, but they can’t resist arguing. Fin’s never been in a committed relationship, and Lizzy doesn’t trust men. but they can’t keep their hands off each other. Their romance is scorching hot.

One factor that keeps them from giving in is the question of time. Lizzy doesn’t want to stay in the 16th century, and Fin is a man of his time. Lizzy’s son, Simon, belongs in the past. His power makes him yearn to stay with the only family that has ever accepted him. Lizzy is scared of losing him. She pushes Fin away because she’s pushing away a decision about where/when to be.

About that happy ending. On the one hand, it was terrific that everyone lived happily ever after. On the other hand, and this bothered me a bit, Grainna was a terribly great evil. It shouldn’t have been that easy. Much as it would have saddened me for someone to have been lost in order to defeat her, there should have been a cost.

One character was created just for Redeeming Vows to be a love interest for Fin’s youngest brother, Cian. Her purpose was to sacrifice herself to betray the witch, and give Cian someone to mourn. Her sacrifice helps bring the ending, but she wasn’t important enough to represent the high cost of defeating a great evil. My 2 cents.

I still loved the whole series and wish the next set was done. Highland Shifter is Simon’s story. I have the feeling that Amber’s story and Cian’s are yet to come. Bring ’em on!

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

Guest post: The Great Steampunk Romance Airship Tour + Giveaway

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | blog tours> Book Giveaway> Giveaways> Great Steampunk Romance Airship Tour

Today I’d like to welcome one of the co-conspirators behind the absolutely fabulous SFR Galaxy Awards. Heather Massey is here to announce the Great Steampunk Romance Airship Tour and discuss…

Analysis Of A Steampunk Romance Cover

by Heather Massey
  

With steampunk romance gaining more visibility over the past few years, I thought it’d be useful to tease out the elements one can expect from a steampunk romance cover. These covers have evolved quickly and I’d wager it’s because the steampunk aesthetic is unique and lends itself to a visual medium. Also, whether covers feature original designs or stock images, steampunk elements are fairly accessible.

Cover designers routinely use certain elements to tip off readers about steampunk romance content. Color is a main one. Steampunk romance covers trend toward warm, earthy color schemes—reds, browns, orange, yellow. The sepia-like tone evokes the Victorian-era time period (especially if that’s the story setting). Another reason for this color scheme is that it pairs well with metallic objects that are made of brass, bronze, and copper.

Other elements are more specific in nature. Below are a few additional steampunk romance cover clues along with examples.

Airships

Airships are one of the most popular steampunk romance cover elements. And no wonder—they’re frequently present in the stories. Plus, they’re really cool!

 

Gears

Many steampunk and clockpunk devices are made with gears and so many covers reflect that aesthetic. Gears also provide clues about the time period and setting.

Gadgets

Steampunk romances feature a number of intriguing gadgets from handheld devices to transportation vehicles. The presence of a gadget is also an indication that a story is likely to contain action-adventure elements. The covers below proudly display a type of gadget.

 

 Goggles & Clothing

Many steampunk romance characters wear goggles at some point. One of the most popular accessories, they’re handy for eye protection when one is creating an invention. They also prevent bugs from smashing into the eyes of heroes and heroines during travel. You’ll encounter them in many covers because they make the characters really pop.

Steampunk romance covers are also a great excuse to showcase fabulous Victorian-era fashion, or any alternative version thereof.

 

 Prosthetic devices

Characters who wear prosthetic devices are fairly common in steampunk romance. And for good reason—the devices are fascinating and often serve an interesting purpose within the story. Prosthetic limbs lend themselves to the exploration of important themes and it’s always a thrill when a cover represents them.

Now that we’ve had fun dissecting steampunk romance covers, it’s time for a giveaway!

Leave a comment for this post and you’ll be entered for a chance to win the following ebook:

The Iron Heart – Leslie Dicken (winner’s choice PDF, ePUB, or .mobi)

And there’s more! Everyone who leaves a comment at any of the stops on The Great Steampunk Romance Airship Tour will be entered for a chance to win the Grand Prize:

$100 e-gift card (winner’s choice Amazon or B&N)

75$ e-gift certificate to Clockwork Couture

1 digital copy of IRON GUNS, BLAZING HEARTS (winner’s choice PDF, ePub, or .mobi)

Please include your email address. The deadline to enter all of the giveaways will be midnight PST on February 14. On Friday, February 15, check back here to see if you’ve won the ebook prize.

The grand prize winner will be announced on February 15 at The Galaxy Express.

About the authorHeather Massey is a lifelong fan of science fiction romance. She searches for sci-fi romance adventures aboard her blog, The Galaxy Express. She’s also an author in the subgenre. To learn more about her published work, visit heathermassey.com.

Iron Guns, Blazing Hearts
 

(February 2013; Lyrical Press)

The West just got a whole lot wilder.

A woman on a mission… Scientific achievement isn’t enough for Violet Whitcomb. Life working alongside her renowned scientist father is filled with intellectual challenges, but what she truly craves is love and adventure. She’s resigned to a fate of academic pursuits–until a fateful trip across the American frontier changes everything. A rogue inventor known as the Iron Scorpion kidnaps Violet’s father and she alone is left to plan his rescue.

A man with a secret… Logan McCoy knows firsthand going up against the Iron Scorpion is suicide, but he can’t let Violet waltz into the villain’s lair alone. She may be a stranger, but she’s also the most compelling woman he’s ever known.

A perilous quest… Their attraction is undeniable, but their alliance turns contentious when Violet insists on including a third partner on their mission: her father’s latest invention and the world’s most advanced automaton, Arthur. The reason for Logan’s resistance isn’t clear until Violet comes face-to-face with the Iron Scorpion’s diabolical devices, and by then, it’s far too late.

Guest Post by Author Catherine Bybee + Giveaway

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | blog tours> Guest Posts

I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Catherine Bybee to Reading Reality! She’s here to promote the reissue of her MacCoinnich Time Travel Trilogy, which I think may be a kind of biblioholic crack–but in a good way! I devoured Binding Vows and couldn’t stop myself from reading the whole trilogy! YUM! Catch my review of Silent Vows today. I also reviewed Binding Vows last week and will finish the reviewing trifecta with Redeeming Vows later this week.

I had the opportunity to ask Catherine a question for her guest post today. Since her heroes and heroines travel both backwards and forwards in time in her series, I wanted to see how she would feel about traveling in time her ownself. Here’s the question, and Catherine’s answer…

Marlene: Which do you think would be more difficult (or more interesting) time traveling back to the past, or forward into the future, and why?

Catherine: Thank you for having me on your blog today. I love this topic. I think because it’s easy for me to answer.

Let me break it down like this. Traveling back in time would be quite similar to camping…in a dress. I don’t know one ‘happy camper’ who does it in a dress! And of course there isn’t bug spray or disinfectant when you scrap your knee and such. And of course we women have to worry about showing our ankles or riding astride a horse. As much as I might make it out that the big, yummy, kilted hottie would make up for all the negatives of traveling back in time, I don’t think it would at all be a pleasant experience for a woman. Perhaps it would be different for a man. I’m not sure.

Now… traveling forward in time might prove easier. The enormity of change that has happened on Earth in the past 150 years is so vast we can’t possibly know what it would be to live any other way. So moving forward… this might prove easier. Technology is bound morph into bigger and better things. On the other hand, if the zombie apocalypse, or the total collapse of our economy may just plunge our world back into world without modern conveniences. I’d love to know what our future holds. We can predict some things, but not all. I’d love to know if we ever explore space… really explore, as in outside of our solar system with manned missions.

I vote to move into the future.
If I went back in time, I’d piss someone off with my snarky and completely non-politically correct tongue, and end scrubbing someone’s floors just to eat.

About Catherine:New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the novels Wife by Wednesday and Married by Monday. Catherine lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.You can find Catherine at her:Website| Blog | Facebook | Twitter

~~~~~~TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY~~~~~~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Silent Vows by Catherine Bybee

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | B Reviews> blog tours> book reviews
Format read: ebook
Formats available: ebook, paperback
Genre: Time travel romance
Series: MacCoinnich Time Travels #2
Length: 278 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (first edition); Self-published (second edition)
Date Released: August 4, 2010 (original); January 13, 2013 (second edition)
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository

Myra, a medieval virgin druidess, flees five hundred years into the future to escape death at the hands of a cursed witch and lands in the arms of a handsome but cynical twenty-first century cop.

Officer Todd Blakely knows Myra is hiding something , but can’t resist her innocent charms. Destiny throws them both into a world of intrigue and mysticism. Can Todd be the true white knight she needs? Or will magic and the winds of time tear them apart?

I’m enjoying this series so much that the minute I finished Silent Vows I started the third book in the series, Redeeming Vows. Time travel romance is loads of fun when the author doesn’t get too fixated on the method, and Ms. Bybee didn’t.

There was something appropriate (and wickedly fun) about part of the premise in this book. In the first book in the series, Binding Vows (reviewed here), Tara and Duncan meet because Duncan and his brother Fin have regularly been visiting the 21st century to relieve Druid virgins of their pesky virginity.

Now that the evil witch Grainna has returned to the 16th century the macCoinneach family has a problem. The oldest daughter, Myra, is still a virgin (much more common in the 16th century) and is now a target for the witch’s spell. The solution is to send her to the 21st century to get her out of harm’s way.

It’s understood that if she has to, as a last resort she can get herself de-virginated. Only as a last resort, of course.

Myra was supposed to find Tara’s sister Lizzy, along with Lizzy’s son Simon, and reassure them that Tara was alive, well and happy. Also go on one ginormous 21st century shopping trip and bring back oodles of stuff that Tara wanted. Like aspirin and antibiotics. Also coffee.

Instead, Myra got picked up by the cops in the middle of let’s call it Disneyland. And discovered that even with Tara’s crash course in 21st century everything, she really wasn’t prepared for life in Tara’s California.

The cop who picked her up at Disneyland knew she was lying about very nearly everything, but he still couldn’t get her out of his head. Especially after he rescued her from nearly being raped because she had no clue that she shouldn’t be out and about in Los Angeles at midnight.

Officer Todd Blakely took her home. To his home. Because she had nowhere else to go. And because she was beautiful and he wanted to rescue her, even though he knew he couldn’t believe anything she said.

Until Lizzy came to talk to the woman who had information about her sister, and everything got crazier. And more sane at the same time.

Myra called him Sir Blakely. When she went back home, she didn’t need to worry about being a target for the evil witch anymore. Too bad for Todd that he didn’t really believe everything she said until he saw her travel back in time, taking his heart with her.

Escape Rating A-: I’m so glad these are all available now, I’d hate to be stuck in the middle wondering how the rest of this series goes!

Myra does give Todd a lot to believe, and while he doesn’t believe her story, he is pretty accepting of her in general. It’s kind of astonishing that he doesn’t send her for a psych evaluation!

Todd’s and Myra’s story does drag on just a bit once the venue switches to the 16th century. We know how they are going to end up, and by that point, I wanted the focus to shift to Lizzy and Fin.

This series is just plain fun, and I can’t wait to see how it ends!

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

The Sunday Post AKA What’s On My (Mostly Virtual) Nightstand? 2-3-13

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | Great Steampunk Romance Airship Tour> Stacking the Shelves> Virtual Nightstand> Winner announcement

We will pause this Sunday’s Post for a moment of fangirl squeeing…NCIS has been renewed for an eleventh season. Cue Kermit the Frog flailing  his arms and shouting “Yaaay!” I’m looking forward to another season of Gibbs’ rules and the best five-man band on TV.

And now back to our regularly scheduled recap of the past week at Reading Reality plus previews of upcoming events.

As promised in last Sunday’s Post, the winner announcement for the Happy Endings Blog Hop…drumroll please! The Happy Winner is Kathleen D. Congratulations Kathleen!

This week’s big event was definitely the SFR Galaxy Awards. Please rocket over to the Awards site to get the complete list of award winners. And to add oodles of books to your groaning wishlists and TBR stacks. We picked LOTS of really fantastic (pun only partially intended) stories!

The week’s complete recap:

B+ Review: Real Men Don’t Break Hearts by Coleen Kwan
B+ Review: Binding Vows by Catherine Bybee
B- Review: Savage Angel by Stacy Gail
SFR Galaxy Awards
A- Review: Short Soup by Coleen Kwan
Stacking the Shelves (32)

So what’s coming up this week?

I have three guests this week. Cool! Also hot.

On Tuesday, Reading Reality is part of The Great Steampunk Romance Airship Tour. Since Airships are generally kept aloft by a LOT of hot air, there has got to be plenty of steam involved in that conversation–as if steampunk romance wasn’t steamy enough already! (There are also some lovely steampunk-themed giveaways to go along with the tour)

Moving backwards in time just a bit to Monday, my guest will be Catherine Bybee, the author of the MacCoinnich Time Travel Trilogy. She’ll be talking, of course, about time travel in romance, and giving away one of her books. Even though I’ve already reviewed Binding Vows, the first book in the series, I enjoyed it so much I kept going. I’ll have a review of the second book (Silent Vows) on Monday and a review of book three (Redeeming Vows) on Wednesday.

Thursday, finally moving forward in time, my guest will be that mistress of the Georgian romance, Victoria Vane. In addition to her guest post about her love of flawed heroes, she’ll also have a giveaway of her books. And I couldn’t resist the chance to review her latest flawed hero story, Treacherous Temptations.

Last but not least, on Friday I’ll be going back (or forward) to the thrilling days of yesteryear as they never were in the weird, weird west with the second book in Theresa Meyers’ Legend Chronicles. I’m almost finished with The Slayer, and it’s just as thrilling as The Hunter (see this review to discover just how thrilling.) Catacombs, anyone?

Stacking the Shelves (32)

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | Stacking the Shelves

One of the terrific things about American Library Association conferences is the ARCs. In piles on the floor. On tables. Everywhere you look. Authors talking about their process. Lauren Dane was signing copies of the latest book in her Delicious series, Tart.

I would have loved to have been able to attend more author signings, but there was this pesky thing called work. On the weekend. <sigh>

I did snag the very last ARC of Gail Carriger’s Etiquette & Espionage. Unsigned. I don’t care. I was just happy to get it.

Likewise, I was personally thrilled to snarf up a copy of Tuesday’s Gone by Nicci French. I was enthralled by the first book in this series, Blue Monday. I’ve kind of been stalking NetGalley and Edelweiss waiting for this second one, because it’s been out “across the pond” for months.

And now I have to catch up on the Sebastian St. Cyr series, because I got the next one. I’m one behind. What’s a biblioholic to do, I ask you?

For Review: (ebook)
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan

Purchased: (ebook)
Master of Love by Catherine LaRoche

ARCs picked up at the ALA Midwinter Conference: (all print)
Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) by Gail Carriger
Farewell, Dorothy Parker by Ellen Meister
Hawk Quest by Robert Lyndon
The Iron King (The Accursed Kings #1) by Maurice Druon
Mistress of My Fate (The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot #1) by Hallie Rubenhold
Tart (Delicious #2) by Lauren Dane
Tuesday’s Gone (Frieda Klein #2) by Nicci French
What Darkness Brings (Sebastian St. Cyr #8) by C.S. Harris
Written in Red (The Others #1) by Anne Bishop

Review: Short Soup by Coleen Kwan

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | A Reviews> book reviews
Format read: ebook provided by the author
Formats available: ebook
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 116 pages
Publisher: Escape Publishing (Harlequin Australia)
Date Released: December 1, 2012
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Publisher’s Website, Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

A story about best friends, childhood dreams, and the healing power of Chinese food…

Toni Lau and Dion Chan were connected from birth — first via their parents’ jointly-owned restaurant, then via their bone-deep friendship. But children grow up, and Toni leaves their sleepy hometown looking for more than it can offer.

Now Toni is back, raw with the knowledge that not all childhood dreams come true. Dion is on the brink of realising that both his own ambitions and his childhood friend have the power to derail all of his hard work. But loving Toni — and winning her love in return — has always been on his wish list. Can Dion really put her on the back burner while frying up his chef dreams? Or is it possible that together they can come up with a recipe for happiness?

My Review:

I want to say that Short Soup by Coleen Kwan is like a perfect bowl of hot and sour soup, but although there’s plenty of heat, there’s no sour in this delightful friends-into-lovers story. Maybe I should just call it an excellent use of an old family recipe.

Toni returns home to Piper Bay, Australia after several years in London. Her marriage is over and she’s looking for jobs in nearby Sydney. That marriage to her college sweetheart was simply a disaster. Nick turned out to be anything but sweet. Now she’s back, older, wiser and qualified as a CPA.

Her best friend Dion has been back in Piper Bay for several years. He’s the chef at Happy Palace, the Chinese restaurant their parents own. Dion spent a few years away, traveling to hone his skills as a chef. Now he’s ready to take over from the parents, and they’ve earned a happy retirement.

But Toni’s return changes a lot of things. When Toni left, she only saw Dion as her friend. After several years’ absence, she finally sees him as a man. Not just any man, but a particularly attractive and sexy one at that.

Dion sees Toni as the one woman who has always held his heart in her hands, and has never known it. Also the one woman with the power to make him screw up his chance at finally dragging the family restaurant into the 21st century, before changing tastes pull it down the drain.

If Dion can convince Toni to take a chance on changing their relationship from friends into something more, it would be the best thing that ever happened to either of them. But if their parents pressure them into moving things too fast too soon, there’s no chance at all.

Is it worth risking their friendship to find out how much more they can be?

Escape Rating A-: I picked up Short Soup because I was stuck in the doldrums with another book I was reviewing, and I wanted something light and fun. Short Soup turned out to be the perfect recipe!

Toni and Dion’s relationship does change pretty quickly, but it doesn’t feel like insta-love. They have known each other all their lives, and Dion has always loved Toni. Only Toni’s heart needs to shift a bit.

The fun part of the story is the parents! I’ve been reading so many stories lately with completely dysfunctional parental units, that it was just terrific to read about some people who had good, albeit slightly overprotective, parents. Both Toni and Dion’s parents are terrific. They love their kids, they love each other, and they do want what’s best, which includes turning over the business to the next generation. They try not to interfere too much.

If you like contemporary romance, and especially if you enjoy friends-into-lovers romance, get yourself some Short Soup. This recipe is a winner!

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