Do You Want to Start a Scandal (Spindle Cove: Book Five, Castles Ever After: Book Four): Tessa Dare

"On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.

"Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?  Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?  Perhaps the butler did it.

"All Charlotte Highwood knows is this:  it wasn't her.  But rumors to the contrary are buzzing.  Unless she can discover the lovers' true identity, she'll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville--the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she's ever had the misfortune to embrace.  When it comes to emotion, the man hasn't got a clue.

"But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own.  The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit...and melt a woman's knees with a single kiss.  The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte's safety is the truth about his dark past.

"Their passion is intense.  The danger is real.  Soon Charlotte's feeling torn.  Will she risk all to prove her innocence?  Or surrender to a man who's sworn never to love?"

One word to describe this book:  fun.  I was thrilled to see Piers have his own story (I'd been keeping my fingers crossed for as much when I read the story of his former betrothed and his younger brother), as much as I was excited to see the merger of Dare's highly-creative Spindle Cove and Castles Ever After series.  I absolutely adored being able to see the characters and plots coming together.  Charlotte had been a consistent character in many of the Spindle Cove books and Piers had made such an impact in "Say Yes to the Marquess" so I found it thrilling when these seemingly self-sufficient worlds Dare created, collided.  The book was fun, well-paced, and more light-hearted than I expected to find a story with Piers as the male lead.  He was so cool and calculated that I loved seeing the realistic shift in his character as he learned and grew.

Charlotte was a ball of energy; all over the place, messy, disorganized, yet intelligent and endearing.  I liked her a great deal and she was a very believable character.  Sweet, caring, and determined and reckless to a fault, I found her to be an excellent foil to the staid seriousness of Piers.  They were wonderful counterparts to one another.  Piers, on the other hand, was remarkably well-written.  I will say that I found marked "James Bond" influences in his speech and some of his mannerisms -- especially in the latter part of the book, "darling."  However, this didn't deter my enjoyment.  I found the book fun and took it for what it was:  A giant game of "Clue" set in Dare's eloquent, imaginative world with lively characters, amusing situations, and passionate lovers.  The premise of the book, itself, is pretty straightforward, but the complexity and entertainment comes in with the characters she crafts.  As I mentioned, I really enjoyed Charlotte...though I truly believe Piers made this book the success that it was.  Dare managed to craft him in such a way that he 1) stayed true to the Piers I knew from her other book, 2) was allowed to grow and change in a plausible way, and 3) was still supremely sexy and attractive as a male lead, with far more complexity than I was expecting from a Bond-esque character.  The plot is a little bit silly and a couple of the characters are slightly over-the-top, but (remember) it's supposed to be an enjoyable read.  Take it for what it is and you'll love it.

By far, one of my favorite parts of the book was getting to relive anecdotes and revisit characters from both of the series of which this book is a part.  It's no secret how much I enjoy this little "Easter eggs" and I get all giddy excitement whenever an author successfully incorporate such information (by successfully, I mean stays true to the characters I know and love from previous installments in the series.  Another author particularly good at this is Sherrilyn Keyon - she has a vastly-different writing style and a completely different setting/time-period than Tessa Dare, but I wanted to mention her because she's another author noteworthy for writing complex series (see her Dark-Hunter series for an example).

I absolutely recommend this book, but with the disclaimer that you ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY MUST be current on BOTH the Spindle Cove and Castles Ever After series or you will not be able to appreciate or understand this installment.  It seems silly to say this of a book in this genre, but Dare puts a lot of time and effort in writing her books, weaving a story that is rich and multifaceted, that you really need to follow the reading order in order to do it justice.

Happy reading!

Lord Dashwood Missed Out (Spindle Cove, Book 4.5): Tessa Dare

"A Snowstorm hath no fury like a spinster scorned.

"Miss Elinora Browning grew up yearning for the handsome, intelligent lord next door...but he left England without a word of farewell.  One night, inspired by a bit too much sherry, Nora poured out her heartbreak on paper.  Lord Dashwood Missed Out was a love letter to every your lady who'd been overlooked by gentlemen - and an instant best seller.  Now she's on her way to speak in Spindle Cove when snowy weather delays her coach.  She's forced to wait out the storm with the worst possible companion:  Lord Dashwood himself.

"And he finally seems to have noticed her.

"George Travers, Lord Dashwood, has traveled the globe as a cartographer.  He returned to England with the goal of marrying and creating an heir - only to find his reputation shredded by an audacious, vexingly attractive bluestocking and her poison pen.  Lord Dashwood Missed Out, his arse.  Since Nora Browning seems to believe he overlooked the passion of a lifetime, Dash challenges her to prove it.

"She has one night."

Another little gem by Tessa Dare.  She has a knack for these short, sweet little novellas.  I always tend to approach these less-lengthy works with some reservations:  How could an author possibly make her readers care enough about her characters in such a finite expanse of time, all while developing the story in a way that makes sense and, as a whole, fits in well with the series?  It is no secret that I wasn't the biggest fan of the first novella in the series (there are currently three, counting Lord Dashwood), but this one was quite good - leaps and bounds better.  I can see how it worked out so well with the rest of the series.  Nora is intelligent, self-sufficient, and longs to show women that they should not lose themselves, nor should they apologize for their accomplishments - not to anyone.  I thought that suited Spindle Cove quite well.  I like how she's carved out a life for herself in the "real world" outside of Spindle Cove.  It's nice to see a "spinster" doing so well without claiming a spot as one of the residents of the relative "bubble" of the seaside retreat.  She is proof that Dare believes -- while there is a safe place for everyone -- that everyone can find their niche.  The backstory was understandably and necessarily brief, but Dare did manage to cram enough into this short story to make me care about her characters.  I feel like there could have been so much more to the death of Nora's brother and her acquired fear of riding, but I can understand why she omitted the information. As far as male leads go, I found George extremely likable.  He started out gruff and overconfident.  I thought I would find this overdone or obnoxious, but I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't.  His Dare-trademarked "quirk" was definitely a new one (see my other reviews of Tessa Dare for an explanation of these oft-endearing quirks) and one about which I'm feeling just okay.  I think it's more believable only because George is a cartographer and spent so much time traveling.  I understood the logical explanations with which he provided Nora, but I'm a bit on the fence.  It didn't keep me from liking George or the plot in general, I just think it's worth mentioning.

By far, one of my favorite parts of the book is the fact that we see SO many characters from her other books!  I grinned from ear-to-ear when I realized that Dare was incorporating so many plot threads and amazing personalities.  I liked the framework of the novella, how it jumped around between different points of view.  It certainly made for a well-paced read.

Overall, I read this book very, very quickly.  It was a fun, light-hearted read with mild drama, relatively steamy romance, and fun twists.  This was the definition of short and sweet.

The Lover: Marguerite Duras

This book is yet another of the ones assigned in my graduate-level global literature course.  I wasn't sure what I was getting into; I had never heard of this book before and -- being the British literature buff I am -- was the odd woman out amongst my classmates.  This didn't discourage me.  I ended up getting through the book fairly quickly.  I thought the story contained a great deal of cultural, sexual, and societal commentary.  It was astonishing how the main character is able to get away with the things she does, how her family treats her lover as they do, mostly due to racial prejudices and the leeway society allows them because they are white in an Asian land.  The lack of morality, the coldness...it all served to make for thought-provoking commentary which resonates even in today's American society.  What felt at first to be a story very far-removed from my own, modern life became very poignant and, I feel, important.  I cannot say that I liked a single character, which is very interesting.  To tell the truth, I disliked each and every character for one reason or another, but not to the point where I had to stop reading.  I think this is an art form in itself.  Duras crafted a very deep story and it's one I do recommend to anyone wanting to, perhaps, branch out and try a classic piece of global literature which remains relevant to this day.

The Stranger: Albert Camus

This was one of the assigned readings for my graduate seminar on global literature. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but it turned out to be one of the books I used to write my final essay for the course. Meursault was a compelling character. Even months after reading the book, I am still trying to sort him out. I think he had a definite issue with his grasp on reality. I had a very good discussion about how his character represents fighting against the rules and impositions of society and the establishment. I'm considering posting that essay here so you can all see how I was so inspired by the book, but I don't want to bore anyone. Overall, I thought this particular translation was very well done. I think it flowed well and was easier to follow than I thought it would be. There were still some passages I had to reread, but it wasn't bad for my first real foray into truly global literature. I think the message was deep, the characters were complex, and this was definitely a book that made me think. I wouldn't have chosen this book on my own, but it definitely opened my eyes and broadened my horizons. Personally, I don't see it as a book I would read for fun, but that doesn't mean it's a bad read - just a different type of read. It was one that made me think, made me consider norms and societal constructs. I was impressed by the depth achieved by Camus in this short of a story and I recommend it as a thought-provoking read.  It's a pretty short read (I read it in a couple of days), so there's not too much for me to say without giving away too much of the plot.  I found the insight into the mindset and culture of the characters to be absolutely fascinating, so much so that I chose to write my final essay for the course on this book.  I think the absurdity surrounding Meursault's life and experiences was key to this work's success and its deep commentary on society's expectations and the power it has over the individual.  This book it work the read and it will definitely get you thinking about your life and the way in which your world interacts with you, and you with it.

Love in the Time of Cholera: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

This was another book I was assigned to read in my graduate seminar in global literature. This was a book I had heard a lot about, but didn't know much about or have an opportunity to read. I found the story sad, engaging, and it was easy to become invested in the characters.  The story jumped around a little bit, but I was able to keep up.  To be brutally honest, I probably would not have picked up this book on my own, and, if I had, I don't know if I would have persevered and finished it were it not for the impending deadline of graduate school discussion board posts and essays.  One thing I have learned is that I can appreciate a work of literature for what it is even if it is not my usual cup of tea.  This is the case with this book.  I can appreciate the lyrical style and intense descriptiveness, the complex way in which the story is told, and the development of characters who, while not always moral, tug at the heartstrings in some odd, intriguing way.  I experienced a curious vacillation between pity, hate, disgust, and "cheering for" Fermina and Florentino.  This is probably what I appreciate the most about this story.  No character was perfect; no character was without sin or questionable behavior.  The story has love, loss, and tragedy, all set against the discombobulating backdrop of the Columbian coast in flux.  The juxtaposition of life and death is a constant undertone of the book.  It's not a happy read, to be sure.  If you're expecting one, then you're going to be sorely disappointed.  I think it's worth the read if you don't mind a darker story which makes you question your own existence and appreciate Latin culture and mentalities a bit more.  Overall, the story was elegant.  It took some getting used to the style, but I adjusted.  I wish I had more to say, but I originally read this a few months ago in the middle of a term and I'm just now able to get around to writing this review.  I suppose I could post the journal entries I made regarding this book (I think they have some excellent analyses in them), but they might give away a bit too much of the plot.  I suppose you'll just have to go read it for yourself!

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: Lady Fiona Carnarvon, The Countess of Carnarvon

"Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration and setting for Julian Fellowes's Emmy Award-winning PBS show, Downton Abbey, and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants, Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon.  Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, including diaries, letters, and photographs, the current Lady Carnarvon has written a transporting story of this fabled home on the brink of war.

"Much like her Masterpiece Classic counterpart, Lady Cora Crawley, Lady Almina was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist Alfred de Rothschild, who married his daughter off at a young age, her dowry serving as the crucial link in the effort to preserve the Earl of Carnarvon's ancestral home  Throwing open the doors of Highclere Castle to tend to the wounded of World War I, Lady Almina distinguished herself as a brave and remarkable woman.

"The rich tale contrasts the splendor of Edwardian life in a great house against the backdrop of the First World War and offers an inspiring and revealing picture of the woman at the center of the history of Highclere Castle."

I originally picked up this book some time ago because it was on a list to read "if you enjoy Downton Abbey."  Unfortunately, I have yet to watch the show (I've been interested in it for a long time, but my schedule hasn't permitted it - I may definitely have to watch it now that I've read this book!), but I thought this non-fiction work might be an interesting read.  I was a touch skeptical because it was penned by the current Countess of Carnarvon, Lady Fiona Carnarvon.  Without sounding too harsh, I wasn't sure that this lady's aristocratic credentials necessarily meant she should be the one to write such a book - her status as a Countess doesn't make her an expert on the topic of her husband's ancestry, nor does it mean she can produce quality writing.  I will follow this up with a statement that I was impressed.  The writing was extremely well done and thoughtful.  The details were beautiful and there was a great deal of care and love put into it.  Any misgivings about the suitability of the current Countess of Carnarvon as an author have been laid to rest.  The history was rich and she really brought Lady Almina and her family to life.  I will say, however, that part of the reason this book took me so long to read was that the beginning dragged a little bit.  A great deal of time was spent on Almina's background (which, having finished the book, I can now see is integral), and this slowed the pace a bit.  It picked back up once Almina and her new husband -- the famous Earl of Carnarvon who, with Howard Carter, discovered the intact tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt -- moved to Highclere after their wedding.  Lady Carnarvon truly makes the house come alive.  She clearly appreciates the beauty and history of the house.


***It took me so long to complete this review that I actually finished watching the entire Downton Abbey  series a couple of months ago!  I hope my reviewing gets back on track now that I'm finally done with grad school (yay!!!).  My biggest takeaway was how much more I feel I appreciated the television series after having read this account of Highclere.  The setting was spectacular and it felt so much more alive.  I have to believe the creators and writers of the series read the current Lady Carnarvon's accounts, worked very closely with her and her family, or did an astounding amount of research.  I saw threads of real people from Lady Carnarvon's book woven into the series and I found myself thrilled each time I caught a reference or tidbit.  I think it's an excellent idea to read this book and then watch the television series; it makes for a much richer experience.


Back to the book review:  Overall, I found the writing easy to read (even if the first few chapters slowed down a little bit - I do encourage you to persevere because it really is a very interesting nonfiction read) and the anecdotes were very interesting.  It breathed life into one of the most stunning houses England has to offer.  It made history come alive, which is one of my absolute favorite things about literature (it's the reason my undergraduate degrees are in English and history).  I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in England, history, WWI, British aristocracy, or the Downton Abbey television series.  I loved the photographs, the stories, and the enthralling history of this stunning house and its fascinating family.  This was a great non-fiction read and I recommend it to fans of history, England, wartime stories, and, of course, Downton Abbey.

House of the Rising Son (Dark-Hunter Series: Prequel): Sherrilyn Kenyon

"The eldest son in a family of three boys, Aricles had no desire to be soldier, even though his fighting skills were among the best in the world.  He was more content on his small Atlantean farm, living a quiet, uneventful life.  But when his brother is determined to don a soldier's uniform, Aricles joins him with a promise to their father to bring his brother home in one piece.  What he never counts on is how much their new lives will forever change them or what the risk of a forbidden love will ultimately cost him."

This was a recent addition to the Dark-Hunter Series and it appears to be intended as a sort of prequel, much like Fantasy Lover.  I was very happy to locate it in a Kindle collection of Kenyon's short stories; it made for a quick purchase while I was on vacation and had just finished re-reading Fantasy Lover.  One of my greatest complaints back when I first began reading Kenyon's works was how difficult it was to track down a lot of the short stories.  Not only did I have to find the anthology, but it was really annoying for a poor student like myself to have to purchase all of these books when, chances are, I would have little to no interest in the other short stories contained in the anthology.  The Dark Bites collection is brilliant!  I can't believe it took until somewhat recently for this to come out!  There was some wonkiness in FantasticFiction.com and where this particular short story fits in, but, like I mentioned, it seems to be a prequel.  Having read it, I am not entirely certain where it stands and how it meshes with the rest of the series.  Chronologically, it is clearly the earliest of the books; other than that, I'm not so sure.  The story started out interesting (even if I am a bit confused about the whole premise behind the necessity of the special task force of warriors from different nations)  I initially liked Bathymaas and her stoic nature.  As I read on, however, I lost a little bit of respect (I don't think this is the right word, but I am going for it) for Ari.  He was too childlike.  I get that he's young and inexperienced on so many levels, but I don't think that's a good enough excuse.  Whereas I liked this childlike naiveté in the early Bathymaas, it was a touch to overdone in Ari.  I just didn't find him up to the same quality of Kenyon's other male leads.  I think my biggest issue with the story was the dialogue; it felt a bit too awkward.  It was formal, but in a stilted way rather than elegant.  It was mixed in with some word choices that were far too modern (i.e. "Sweetie").  I love books that transport me to another world, but the dialogue in this particular story took me out of that escape.  This was probably my least favorite of Kenyon's books.  I'm waiting to see where it fits into the grand scheme...maybe I'll like it more if I can understand/appreciate her character choices.